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- Tasks: Lead and manage all folding operations, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join a family-owned metalwork specialist with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, life assurance, extra holidays, onsite gym, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a dynamic environment that values your leadership and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in press brake operations and strong people management skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative workplace.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
ADS Laser Cutting is a full-service metalwork specialist, offering laser cutting, folding, fabrication, finishing, and assembly services. They provide bespoke to volume sheet metal solutions for customers across engineering, transport, infrastructure, and manufacturing industries. Operating from an 87,000 sq. ft facility and employing over 100 people, ADS combines modern equipment with robust processes and experienced teams to deliver consistent quality, lead times, and service. Their work is trusted by major organisations across all industries. ADS is a family owned business that has grown year on year through continued investment in technology, systems, and people. This provides a stable, well supported platform for sales activity and long term customer development.
The Press Brake Manager is responsible for the end to end management of all folding (press brake) operations, ensuring that output meets customer quality requirements, delivery targets, and cost expectations. The role owns folding capacity, utilisation, bend accuracy, setup efficiency, tooling control, preventative maintenance, and operator performance. The Press Brake Manager acts as the technical and operational authority for folding and is accountable for folding related performance within the business.
- Production Planning & Delivery
- Agree daily and weekly folding production plans with the Production Manager
- Ensure folding output supports overall On Time Delivery (OTD) performance
- Sequence work to optimise machine loading and minimise setup/changeover time
- Identify capacity constraints early and escalate risks proactively
- Prevent folding operations becoming a bottleneck to downstream processes
- Folding Operations & Utilisation
- Maximise press brake utilisation and uptime across all machines and shifts
- Ensure correct tooling, programs, and bend sequences are used
- Own fold quality including angles, tolerances, and cosmetic finish
- Ensure first off checks and in-process inspections are completed correctly
- Reduce scrap and rework through process control and operator discipline
- Drive consistency in bend accuracy across machines and operators
- Tooling & Material Control
- Own press brake tooling management
- Ensure correct tooling selection, storage, maintenance, and traceability
- Work closely with laser/material flow to ensure correct parts are presented for folding
- Minimise handling damage and ensure correct part identification throughout
- Support efficient flow of WIP between laser and folding
- Preventative Maintenance & Equipment Reliability
- Own preventative maintenance schedules for all press brakes
- Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly checks are completed and recorded
- Monitor downtime, repeat faults, and breakdown trends
- Coordinate with maintenance and suppliers to improve reliability
- Drive improvements in machine uptime and performance
- Cost Control & Performance Management
- Own folding related costs including scrap, rework, tooling damage, and downtime
- Monitor and improve KPIs such as:
- Utilisation
- First-time accuracy
- Scrap and rework rate
- Setup time reduction
- Cost per folding hour
- Investigate root causes of performance issues and implement countermeasures
- Report folding performance clearly to Production Management
- Ensure job packs are completed fully and accurately
- Ensure accurate time booking within ERP/production systems (e.g. TTF or equivalent)
- Ensure correct drawings, revisions, and quantities are used at all times
- Support development and control of folding programs and standard setups
- Support resolution of technical and customer-related folding queries
- Work with programming and estimating teams to ensure accurate bend times, feasibility, and costing
- Lead, train, and develop press brake operators
- Maintain a folding skills matrix and training records
- Monitor individual performance daily and set clear expectations
- Manage overtime, holidays, absence, and training needs
- Conduct informal and formal performance reviews where required
- Own health and safety within the folding area
- Ensure safe systems of work and risk assessments are followed
- Ensure safe use of press brakes, tooling, and handling equipment
- Promote good housekeeping and disciplined working practices
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives within folding operations
- Standardise best practice across machines, tooling, and operators
- Reduce setup times, waste, and process variation
- Improve bend accuracy and repeatability through process control
- Actively contribute improvement ideas to the wider business
- Support introduction of new tooling, technology, or automation
Benefits:
- Competitive package for the right candidate.
- Life assurance.
- Above statutory holiday entitlement with additional service linked holiday.
- 40 hour working week.
- Onsite gym.
- Pension scheme.
- Commitment to investing in training and development.
- Company provided workwear and PPE.
- Onsite parking.
- Staff canteen.
- Employee Assistance Program.
Essential:
- Strong background in press brake/folding operations within a subcontract manufacturing environment
- Excellent understanding of bending processes & tooling
- Able to read and interpret engineering drawings
- Strong planning, organisational, and problem solving skills
- Results driven with a strong focus on delivery, quality, and cost
- Confident leader with strong people management skills
- Familiarity with ERP systems and digital production tracking tools
- Positive attitude toward innovation, change, and continuous improvement
- Flexibility in working hours to support operational needs
Desirable:
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Experience with CNC press brake programming (e.g. offline programming systems)
- Lean Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement training
- Knowledge of advanced tooling systems and automation
- Strong customer and stakeholder communication experience
Press Brake Manager at ADS Laser Cutting Ltd employer: Made in the Midlands Limited
Contact Detail:
Made in the Midlands Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Press Brake Manager at ADS Laser Cutting Ltd
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at ADS Laser Cutting. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching ADS Laser Cutting's projects and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute as a Press Brake Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to press brake operations and team management. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ADS family.
We think you need these skills to ace Press Brake Manager at ADS Laser Cutting Ltd
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Press Brake Manager role. Highlight your experience in press brake operations and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Share specific examples of your achievements in folding operations and how you can contribute to our team at ADS Laser Cutting.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention your problem-solving skills. We love candidates who can identify issues and implement effective solutions, especially in a fast-paced environment like ours. Give us some examples!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Made in the Midlands Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of press brake operations and bending processes. Be ready to discuss specific techniques, tooling, and how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics but have a deep understanding of the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Press Brake Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed people in the past. Talk about how you’ve trained operators, handled performance issues, or implemented new processes. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and develop a team effectively.
✨Be Data-Driven
ADS Laser Cutting values performance metrics. Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) related to folding operations, such as scrap rates and setup times. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to drive improvements in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your experience with continuous improvement initiatives. Discuss any Lean Six Sigma training or similar methodologies you’ve applied. Show that you’re proactive about finding ways to enhance efficiency and quality in operations, which aligns perfectly with ADS's focus on innovation.