At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production teams and drive operational excellence in a high-tech manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving manufacturing processes and leading diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field; experience in production leadership required.
This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for Production, Stores and Dispatch. You will lead the continued development of manufacturing capability, improve operational performance and ensure the business is equipped to support sustained growth within a complex, high-value engineering environment. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will be responsible for delivering safe, reliable, cost-effective and high-quality manufacturing performance across the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide visible leadership across Production, Stores and Dispatch.
- Lead, coach and develop production leaders, technical specialists and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety and environmental policies and procedures.
- Own production execution and resource deployment to achieve customer delivery and shipping commitments.
- Forecast labour, skills and resource requirements in line with future production demand.
- Improve productivity through effective leadership, coaching, cross-training and capability development.
- Identify succession, recruitment and skills requirements across the manufacturing function.
- Improve material flow, production readiness and manufacturing scalability.
- Reduce build hours, rework, scrap, overtime, work-in-progress and cost of poor quality.
- Standardise and improve operational systems and processes.
- Use SQCDP data to identify and prioritise improvement opportunities.
- Lead continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
- Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Planning and Commercial teams.
- Support the successful introduction of new products, technologies and manufacturing processes.
- Ensure new products are manufacturable, testable and ready for production.
- Manage pre-production builds, production training, documentation and operational readiness.
- Drive improvements in product quality through robust data analysis, root cause investigation and corrective action.
Key Performance Areas
- Health, safety and environmental performance.
- On-time delivery and achievement of shipping commitments.
- Labour productivity, build hours and overtime reduction.
- Reduction in scrap, rework, WIP and cost of poor quality.
- Product quality and commissioning performance.
- Delivery of continuous improvement and operational excellence objectives.
Experience and Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualification or demonstrable continuous improvement experience.
- Significant experience leading production, manufacturing or operations teams.
- Experience working within a complex, high-technology manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience managing and developing line managers and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, visual management, root cause analysis and structured problem-solving.
- Experience improving safety, quality, cost, delivery and people performance.
- Commercial awareness, with an understanding of margin, productivity, cost and customer delivery.
- Experience using ERP, production planning or operational reporting systems.
- Strong understanding of production planning, labour forecasting and manufacturing resource requirements.
- Experience supporting NPI and the transition of products from development into production.
- Experience within semiconductor, vacuum, plasma, precision equipment, capital equipment or another high-complexity engineering sector would be advantageous.
Personal Attributes
- A credible and visible leader with a coaching management style.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
- Commercially aware and comfortable using data to make decisions.
- Collaborative, inclusive and able to build effective cross-functional relationships.
- Resilient and comfortable working within a changing manufacturing environment.
- Confident making difficult decisions and holding teams accountable.
- Passionate about developing people and improving operational capability.
- Positive, pragmatic and willing to challenge existing ways of working.
Head of Production in Bristol employer: Mane Contract Services
As a leading employer in the high-value engineering sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Our commitment to employee development is evident through tailored coaching and leadership opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers while contributing to innovative manufacturing solutions. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a collaborative environment where every voice is valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Production in Bristol
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Mane Contract Services, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Production in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Mane Contract Services specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mane Contract Services
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Mane Contract Services, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Mane Contract Services value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
