At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic manufacturing team and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Established manufacturer seeking a hands-on leader.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: No fluff, just a chance to innovate and lead effectively.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment and improve processes.
- Qualifications: Proven manufacturing leadership experience and strong problem-solving skills.
This isn’t a role for someone who likes managing manufacturing from the comfort of an Excel spreadsheet. I’m working with an established manufacturer looking for a proper manufacturing leader to take ownership of a busy operation — leading the people, improving the processes and making sure everything runs safely, efficiently and, ideally, without the place descending into chaos by Tuesday lunchtime.
This is a senior role with genuine influence across the operation and plenty of opportunity to make your mark.
What you'll be getting stuck into:
- Leading and developing a sizeable manufacturing team
- Improving productivity, output and operational performance
- Keeping Health & Safety firmly at the top of the agenda
- Managing budgets, costs and efficiencies
- Driving Lean / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement
- Delivering process and equipment improvements
- Managing performance across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery & People
- Working closely with other senior functions across the business
- Building an engaged, accountable and high-performing culture
What we're looking for:
You’ll already have a strong track record within manufacturing leadership and be comfortable taking ownership of a fast-moving operation. Ideally, you'll bring:
- Senior Production / Manufacturing / Operations leadership experience
- Strong Lean, Six Sigma or CI knowledge
- Experience managing budgets, productivity and operational KPIs
- A strong approach to H&S
- Experience developing teams and managing performance
- Confidence working at senior leadership level
- A manufacturing or engineering-led background
Sector isn't everything here — good manufacturing leadership is good manufacturing leadership.
The important bit... They don't need someone sitting in an office creating a 47-slide presentation about why productivity needs improving. They need someone who'll get into the operation, understand what's happening, challenge what isn't working and actually do something about it. If you're the type who walks around a factory and can't help thinking “there's definitely a better way of doing that” then we should probably talk.
Drop me a message or send your CV over for a confidential chat. No nonsense. No telling you it's a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” And absolutely no asking what animal you'd be in an interview.
Head of Manufacturing employer: J3A Recruitment
Join one of the UK’s largest and most established construction and infrastructure groups, where you will benefit from outstanding stability and structured career development. Based in Warrington, this role offers exposure to major Critical National Infrastructure projects, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for leadership development and long-term progression in a supportive work culture that values safety and client relationships.
