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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform a high-performance precision engineering manufacturing site.
- Company: High-growth, privately owned precision engineering manufacturer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, car allowance, and relocation support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by reshaping performance and culture in a key manufacturing operation.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and 10-20 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and to drive operational excellence.
Overview
General Manager – Precision Manufacturing – High Performance Engineering Sector
£90,000 – £110,000 + Bonus (up to 25%) + Car Allowance / EV Scheme + Relocation Support
Location: South Coast (Relocation Assistance Available for this onsite role)
About the company and role
A privately owned, high-growth precision engineering manufacturer seeks an experienced General Manager to lead and transform one of its principal UK manufacturing operations. The company designs and produces complex, high-integrity engineered components for advanced energy, industrial, and performance-critical applications. This is a pivotal operational leadership role for a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives on visible, front-line engagement, rapid performance improvement, and long-term transformation.
Responsibilities
- Lead by example — be a consistent, visible presence on the shop floor, guiding and supporting teams while setting and enforcing standards.
- Stabilise and transform performance — introduce operational control, clear KPIs, and daily accountability to restore efficiency, quality, and output.
- Rebuild morale and engagement — create a positive, open, and performance-driven culture where employees understand objectives and take ownership of results.
- Drive cultural and behavioural change — set expectations, improve communication, and instil pride in performance.
- Implement continuous improvement — embed lean manufacturing, structured problem solving, and visual management to raise productivity and reduce waste.
- Optimise planning and workflow — strengthen scheduling, resource management, and cost control.
- Develop leadership capability — mentor supervisors, technical leads, and support functions to create a robust, accountable management team.
- Lay foundations for future investment — once the site is stabilised, prepare and present detailed business cases for capital expenditure and capacity expansion to the CEO and Board.
- This is a true turnaround and transformation assignment — turn an underperforming but strategically important site into a model of efficiency, engagement, and operational excellence.
About You / Qualifications
- You are a confident, technically credible manufacturing leader with a proven track record of improving performance, quality, and culture in precision or high-performance engineering environments.
- You are at your best on the factory floor — visible, pragmatic, and leading from the front. Transformation comes from clear standards, disciplined execution, and engaged people.
- Education: Degree (BEng/MEng/BSc) in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Production Engineering. Chartered Engineer (CEng) preferred but not essential.
- Experience: 10-20 years in engineering/manufacturing, with at least 5 years in senior operational/site leadership.
- Hands-on leadership style: 75-80% of your time spent on the shop floor, directly guiding teams, setting priorities, and driving measurable results.
- Transformation track record: Proven ability to stabilise, re-energise, and elevate underperforming manufacturing operations through disciplined processes, KPIs, and leadership.
- Technical grounding: Strong background in CNC machining, small-batch, or precision manufacturing.
- Change management skills: Able to introduce structure, coach teams, and hold people accountable while building trust and engagement.
- Commercial and analytical skills: Experience managing budgets, cost-per-part, and productivity metrics. Capable of preparing CapEx proposals for process improvement and technology investment.
- Continuous improvement expertise: Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent toolkit, with a record of delivering tangible efficiency and quality gains.
- Sector experience: Precision engineering, energy, aerospace, automotive, defence, or other high-performance industrial sectors.
- Personal impact: Decisive, calm under pressure, authentic, and unafraid to challenge legacy thinking.
The Rewards / Benefits
- Base Salary: £90,000 – £110,000
- Bonus: up to 25% linked to performance and leadership KPIs
- Car Allowance: included in base; company also offers a salary-sacrifice electric-vehicle scheme
- Benefits: 25 days\’ holiday + bank holidays, 5%/5% pension, life assurance (3× salary)
- Relocation Support: up to £10,000 (HMRC guideline)
How to Apply
All enquiries and applications are handled in strict confidence by Martin Veasey Talent Solutions.
Due to the confidential nature of this appointment, NDAs will be required at shortlist stage.
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General Manager - High Performance Precision Engineering employer: Martin Veasey Talent Solutions
Contact Detail:
Martin Veasey Talent Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - High Performance Precision Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This way, when you get that interview, you can show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application. Plus, a referral can give you a serious edge!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your hands-on leadership style aligns with their need for visible engagement on the shop floor. Use specific examples from your past to demonstrate your transformation track record.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can keep you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - High Performance Precision Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Leadership Style: In your application, make sure to highlight your hands-on approach to leadership. We want to see how you've been visible on the shop floor and how you've directly engaged with teams to drive performance improvements.
Demonstrate Transformation Experience: Share specific examples of how you've stabilised and transformed underperforming operations. We love a good success story, so don’t hold back on the details about the KPIs you set and the results you achieved!
Emphasise Cultural Change: Talk about your experience in rebuilding morale and creating a positive work culture. We’re looking for someone who can instil pride in performance and engage employees, so let us know how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you in front of the right people quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Martin Veasey Talent Solutions
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key performance metrics relevant to precision engineering. Be ready to discuss how you've used KPIs to drive improvements in past roles. This shows you understand the importance of data-driven decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Leadership
Prepare examples that highlight your hands-on approach to leadership. Discuss specific instances where you’ve been visible on the shop floor, guiding teams and implementing changes. This aligns perfectly with the company's need for a leader who thrives in a front-line role.
✨Cultural Transformation Insights
Think about how you've successfully transformed workplace culture in previous positions. Be ready to share strategies you’ve employed to rebuild morale and engagement, as this is crucial for the role. Highlight any continuous improvement initiatives you've led.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and change management abilities. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific challenges related to operational control and efficiency. This will demonstrate your readiness for the turnaround assignment.
