Operational Lead - Projects in Merthyr Tydfil

The Operational Lead will support the Production Operations Manager by leading project focused initiatives across the production site to ensure our deliveries and deadlines are met. The role is responsible for coordinating, planning, and delivering operational projects that improve production efficiency, optimise capacity, and ensuring production output is optimised to support business requirements.

Acting as a bridge between production, engineering, PMO and support functions, the Operations Lead ensures operational initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with business objectives.

Your responsibilities in this role include:

• Managing specific day-to-day production operations to ensure output targets, quality standards and delivery schedules are met
• Manage production workflows, resources, and capacity across shifts and lines
• Implement operational strategies aligned with business goals
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Production, Engineering, QHSE, and Supply Chain to ensure successful delivery
• Develop project plans, define objectives, allocate resources & track progress against timelines
• Identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies, escalating issues as required
• Support improvements and standardisation initiatives across production programmes
• Monitor and report on project KPIs, ensuring data-driven insights inform decision-making
• Assist in resource planning and allocation to meet project and operational requirements
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and Health & Safety regulations
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across teams
• Point of escalation for any team/performance issues
• Support the Production Operations Manager with ad-hoc operational analysis and project

Apply if you have most of the following:

• Significant experience in a production/operations leadership role within a manufacturing or assembly environment
• Proven experience delivering operational or production-based projects within a live production setting
• Experience working directly with shop floor teams (e.g. Assembly Line Supervisors, Team Leaders) to deliver output and performance targets
• Demonstrable experience managing production performance (output, efficiency, quality, downtime) alongside project delivery
• Strong understanding of production planning, line balancing, and capacity management
• Experience resolving operational issues such as bottlenecks, resource constraints, and process inefficiencies
• Track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives within production environments
• Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and PMO

Technical skills/qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing/production operations, including assembly processes, line management, and performance metrics
• Ability to operate effectively within a live production environment while delivering project outcomes
• Understanding of production planning, scheduling, and capacity optimisation
• Experience using production/ERP/MRP systems to manage workflows and resources
• Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret production KPIs and drive improvement actions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project (or similar planning tools)
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies (desirable)
• Understanding of Health & Safety and quality standards within manufacturing environments
• Relevant qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or equivalent experience (desirable)

Additional local needs:

• Onsite role
• Successful candidates will need to be eligible for SC (Security Clearance)

The benefits for this role include:

• Opportunity to develop operational leadership and project management capabilities within a production environment
• Exposure to multi-programme delivery and strategic operational initiatives
• Potential progression to Production Operations Manager or other senior operational leadership roles

Marshall Land Systems is a Canadian-owned global company with an unrivalled pedigree of British engineering excellence. From its origins in Cambridge, UK, through more than a century of innovation, pioneering advances from the nose of Concorde to the early Hydrogen fuel cell technology that ultimately powered the moon landings, Marshall engineers now continue to innovate specialist vehicles and infrastructure for NATO forces across the world.

Marshall Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are striving to create an inclusive workplace culture built on trust, accountability, collaboration, and improvement—an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive, free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination.