At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale manufacturing operations in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Company: Join OpenWorks, a cutting-edge defence technology and engineering business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture with fun team socials and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of manufacturing while developing high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in manufacturing and strong operational capabilities required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
We're looking for a Head of Manufacturing to lead and scale manufacturing operations at OpenWorks as we continue our growth as an innovative defence technology and engineering business. This is a highly influential leadership role, responsible for driving operational excellence, strengthening manufacturing capability and enhancing delivery performance across the organisation. Leading our Production and Production Engineering functions, you will work closely with Engineering, Supply Chain and senior leadership teams to develop scalable, efficient and resilient manufacturing operations that support ambitious growth plans. The role is ideally suited to a leader who is passionate about developing high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement and balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational engagement in a fast-paced, engineering-led environment. As Head of Manufacturing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of our operational evolution – building the systems, processes and capabilities needed to scale successfully while preserving the agility, pace and collaborative culture that define OpenWorks.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
- Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced and people genuinely love what they do.
- Competitive remuneration package, with performance-related bonuses and clear progression opportunities.
- Enhanced Pension plan with up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
- 25 days’ holiday + public holidays, with long-service rewards and the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Free breakfast and freshly cooked lunches every day, courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
- Private healthcare through Aviva, keeping you feeling your best.
- Life assurance for peace of mind.
- Salary sacrifice schemes – including EV car and Cycle to Work options for easy, sustainable travel.
- Professional Development Fund – £250 annual budget to invest in learning, training or development opportunities that matter most to you.
- Paid team socials – from quiz nights and football to board games and more; we love to have fun together.
- A culture that empowers – we enable change, encourage challenge, and celebrate personal growth.
Department, People and Resource Management
- Lead and develop teams: Support and develop Manufacturing teams, creating an environment that encourages ownership, accountability, continuous improvement while strengthening the functions capability as the business continues to scale.
- People & Capability: Foster talent development through effective performance management, coaching, succession planning, recruitment and wellbeing initiatives.
- Build strong relationships: Foster effective collaboration across Engineering, Manufacturing and wider business departments.
- Manage departmental resources: Oversee Manufacturing budgets and support future workforce and capability planning.
Manufacturing Operations
- Operational Leadership: Lead Production and Production Engineering functions, driving delivery performance, manufacturing efficiency, product quality and operational excellence.
- Planning & Execution: Oversee production scheduling, capacity planning, resource deployment and build prioritisation to ensure effective, predictable and scalable delivery.
- Process Improvement & Scalability: Develop robust manufacturing processes, systems and management disciplines that improve throughput, yield, quality and operational maturity while supporting business growth.
- Engineering Integration: Partner closely with Engineering teams on DFM/DFX, new product introduction and transition-to-production activities, creating repeatable and scalable manufacturing solutions for defence and electro-optical products.
Manufacturing Strategy and Scale-Up
- Develop manufacturing strategy: Support future production growth, operational scalability and increasing product complexity.
- Identify operational risks: Proactively address bottlenecks, capacity constraints and operational challenges before they impact delivery.
- Support operational expansion: Contribute to facility expansion, production layout optimisation and future manufacturing planning.
- Improve operational planning: Develop scalable KPIs, reporting systems and forecasting processes alongside Procurement and Finance teams.
- Support NPI readiness: Ensure manufacturing readiness for new product introduction activities.
Quality and Compliance
- Quality & Compliance: Ensure manufacturing activities operate in line with the QMS, maintaining audit readiness while driving improvements in quality, process control and operational discipline.
ERP and Operational Systems
- Operational Systems & Data: Drive improvements in ERP, manufacturing data and process integrity, enhancing operational visibility, control and scalability.
What we’re looking for:
Essential
- Manufacturing leadership experience: Significant leadership experience within manufacturing operations environments.
- Production and Engineering management: Experience managing both Production and Manufacturing/Production Engineering functions.
- Operational scaling experience: Experience scaling manufacturing operations within growing engineering or technology businesses.
- Strong operational capability: Strong understanding of manufacturing process control, operational improvement and production flow management.
- Engineering collaboration: Experience working closely with engineering-led product organisations.
- Budget and workforce management: Experience managing departmental budgets, workforce planning and operational resources.
- Regulated industry experience: Experience operating within defence, aerospace, medical, robotics or other high-reliability manufacturing sectors.
- Strong communication skills: Able to build credibility and collaborate effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing and leadership teams while remaining calm under pressure.
Desirable
- Sector experience: Experience within electro-optics, robotics, sensing, defence or high-reliability electronics environments.
- ERP/MRP systems experience: Experience implementing or improving ERP/MRP systems within manufacturing operations.
- Operational scale-up experience: Experience supporting facility expansion and operational growth activities.
- Continuous improvement knowledge: Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- NPI experience: Understanding of new product introduction and transition-to-production processes.
Head of Manufacturing in Prudhoe employer: Internetwork Expert
At OpenWorks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-energy, collaborative culture where innovation thrives. As the Head of Manufacturing, you will benefit from a competitive remuneration package, enhanced pension contributions, and a strong focus on professional development, all while working in a dynamic environment that encourages personal growth and teamwork. With unique perks like free meals, paid team socials, and a commitment to sustainability, OpenWorks is dedicated to creating a rewarding workplace for those passionate about making a difference in the defence technology sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing in Prudhoe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Focus on articulating your experience and how it relates to the role of Head of Manufacturing. Confidence is key, so get comfortable talking about your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing in Prudhoe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Manufacturing role. Highlight your leadership experience in manufacturing and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve improved efficiency or quality in manufacturing operations. This helps us see the value you can bring to OpenWorks.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We love a good story, so if you have a passion for manufacturing or a unique approach to leadership, share it! We’re looking for someone who fits our collaborative culture.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Internetwork Expert
✨Know Your Manufacturing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes and operational excellence. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully scaled operations or improved efficiency. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the Head of Manufacturing role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've developed high-performing teams in previous roles. Think of concrete examples where you've fostered talent development, managed performance, or implemented coaching initiatives. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to lead and inspire teams at OpenWorks.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with Engineering and Supply Chain teams, be ready to share experiences where you've successfully collaborated across departments. Highlight any projects where effective communication and teamwork led to improved outcomes, as this will resonate well with their collaborative culture.
✨Be Ready for Operational Challenges
Anticipate questions about how you've identified and addressed operational risks in the past. Prepare to discuss specific bottlenecks or capacity constraints you've encountered and the strategies you employed to overcome them. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to ensuring smooth manufacturing operations.
