Production Manager

LOCATION : Bristol, near Temple Meads (BS2 0RA) – This is an office-based position with one day a week working from home

CONTRACT : Permanent – Full time (Mon-Fri)

SALARY : £Competitive + Bonus up to 10% annual salary

THE COMPANY

Over the past 30 years L&T has become a global player in the medical simulation education market. It has ambitious plans for further growth in the next 5 years across the globe, through investment and new product development. Multi award winning and still privately owned, the £30M business has grown from a tabletop start up, to a multinational business with its head office and manufacturing in Bristol, along with sales offices in the USA, Australia and Sweden. The vision of the business remains as it always has: to design and manufacture medical task trainers which through deliberate clinical practice help improve patient outcomes. People are at the heart of L&T, they comprise the expertise, contribute to, and deliver the vision, in this fascinating and growing market sector.

THE JOB

The Production Manager (Moulding) will be responsible for the manufacture of silicone and polyurethane L&T components produced. The role includes people management, production planning and budgetary/cost reporting. The purpose of the role is to lead the manufacturing function to meet customer requirements, to meet output targets within budget and have full accountability for ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost requirements are met. The Moulding Production Manager will be responsible for understanding the qualities of the materials and technical characteristics of the machines to ensure smooth running of the department and driving the implementation of lean working methods.

The role holder is responsible for developing an enthusiastic, motivated, and flexible team by building working relationships. They will manage the team in line with best practice and establish standard policies and procedures whilst also mentoring and leading the supervisory team to deliver this. They will work with other departments to integrate new products and help implement and manage continuous improvement and modern manufacturing principals by highlighting deficiencies and recommending changes in training, working practices and processes.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

The role is responsible for ensuring that all production areas operate in compliance with health, safety, and environmental policies to safeguard staff and visitors. This includes conducting risk assessments of processes and tasks within the department. Maintaining quality standards is also a key accountability, ensuring that all processes align with Production QMS procedures. Collaboration with the Quality and Engineering teams is essential for root cause analysis and problem resolution. Additionally, the role involves identifying necessary skill sets, maintaining skill matrices, and driving continuous training and development.

Operational efficiency is a priority, requiring effective management of production areas to meet daily, weekly, and monthly targets in line with the production plan and customer expectations. This includes managing staffing levels, handling recruitment, training, appraisals, attendance, disciplinary matters, and overall supervision to ensure optimal productivity. The role also focuses on cost efficiency, striving to achieve target productivity levels while analysing data to drive process improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) without compromising quality or service.

This position has two supervisors and two team leaders reporting into it, overseeing two teams working across the morning and afternoon shifts. While we are flexible regarding the candidate’s chosen start and end times, ideally, we are looking for someone who can oversee both shifts in full or in part to ensure continuity and consistency across the teams. Beyond operational responsibilities, fostering a ‘can do’ culture within the supervisory team is crucial, ensuring motivation and professional development across the workforce. Leading and coaching a high-performing manufacturing team is a key part of the role, along with effective communication with production supervisors and workers. Collaboration with the Assembly Production Manager is required, stepping in to oversee their department when necessary.

Regular reporting on target achievements and necessary actions is expected, alongside working closely with the Operational Management team to share ideas and improve overall performance. The role also involves supporting the seamless introduction of new products into production, ensuring staff training and approvals at the Demo FAI stage. Effective communication with key stakeholders, including the Quality Engineering, Product Management, and R&D departments, is essential to manage any changes that might impact timelines.

REQUIREMENTS

• To have working experience of plastic or rubber moulding would be advantageous.
• Understanding of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Kaizen and lean manufacturing.
• Support, comply and ensure complicity with Health & Safety regulations, the Company Handbook, Quality and Environmental standards, and all other Company policies and procedures.
• Relevant manufacturing/engineering degree educated, or HND, BTec Professional Level 5 Award or equivalent NVQ Level 5 qualifications.
• Experience of managing Profit & Loss responsibilities for manufacturing.
• Good understanding of ISO 9001, IOSH/NEBOSH, ISO 14001.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• More than eight years’ relevant experience within significant supervisory roles.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Excellent organisational and follow-up skills.
• Competent in problem solving, team building, planning and decision making.

THE PACKAGE

In return we offer a competitive salary and a performance-related bonus based on personal objectives that pays up to 10% of your salary annually, study support and the chance to progress in a rapidly growing company. Other benefits include a salary sacrifice pension scheme where the company matches your contribution up to 5% plus Employer NI savings – currently 15.05% of your contribution (this also applies to voluntary contributions), a non-contributory healthcare cash plan including access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), life insurance paying 4x your salary, access to a virtual GP, 25 days holiday and a cycle to work scheme.

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity and you feel you have got what it takes, please send your CV with a covering letter telling us why you consider yourself suitable for the role, to the HR Manager, Limbs & Things.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Manufacturing and Product Management
• Industries: Medical Equipment Manufacturing

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