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- Tasks: Lead and shape the manufacture of complex aerospace and defence systems.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation committed to operational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company bonus, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-tech environment while advancing your leadership career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in manufacturing management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid working with clear progression opportunities into senior leadership roles.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 65000 £ per year.
As part of MBDA’s continual volume growth and operational expansion, you could join our high technology manufacturing environment with a pivotal role in shaping delivery performance and manufacturing excellence.
Salary: Circa £65,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4 days per week on-site due to workload classification
Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
What we can offer you:
- Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave - enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
The Opportunity:
This role is ideally suited to a proven manufacturing leader ready to take on a broader challenge, shaping operational performance, embedding best practice, and directly contributing to the delivery of complex, critical defence programmes. You could find yourself leading the growth of a high-volume production programme or leading the transition of complex systems in stable, repeatable manufacturing, whilst continuing to mature production operations to meet future demand.
What’s in it for you?
- Lead and shape the manufacture, assembly, integration, and test of complex aerospace and defence systems.
- Operate at the forefront of manufacturing excellence, quality transformation, and operational improvement.
- Influence decision-making and outcomes at senior leadership level.
- Develop your leadership capability within a business committed to continuous improvement.
- Gain exposure to major operational challenges, including ramp‑up of new programmes, stabilising transitioning production lines, industrialisation of new systems, and improving established manufacturing flows.
- Benefit from clear progression opportunities into Head of Manufacturing or wider senior leadership roles for high performers.
This is a rare opportunity to build both a legacy of operational impact and a long‑term leadership career within one of the UK's foremost advanced manufacturing organisations.
What we’re looking for from you:
- Proven experience as an Operations, Production or Manufacturing Manager within a complex, regulated manufacturing environment (aerospace, defence, automotive or similar).
- Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams with a strong track record of delivery against safety, quality, cost and schedule objectives.
- Experience leading production ramp‑up, industrialisation of new products or stabilisation of transitioning manufacturing lines.
- Capability to drive continuous improvement, lean deployment, and performance management at shop floor level.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, operating confidently across engineering, quality and project teams.
Qualifications – desirable:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Lean / Continuous Improvement certification (e.g. green Belt / Black Belt).
- IOSH or relevant health and safety qualification.
- Experience operating within aerospace or defence quality framework (e.g. EN9100).
Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given. MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more… We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
Manufacturing Operations Manager in Bolton employer: MBDA
Contact Detail:
MBDA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Operations Manager in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at MBDA. A friendly chat can give us insights into the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching MBDA’s recent projects and challenges. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role but also in how we can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for answering behavioural questions. It helps us structure our responses and highlight our achievements effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us on their radar and show our enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a nice touch!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Operations Manager in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Manufacturing Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in complex manufacturing environments and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align 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 passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at MBDA. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your capabilities.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve driven improvements in safety, quality, or efficiency. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Know Your Manufacturing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes, especially in regulated environments like aerospace or defence. Be ready to discuss your experience with production ramp-ups and how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership capabilities. Think about times when you led multidisciplinary teams to achieve safety, quality, cost, and schedule objectives. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can influence decision-making at a senior level.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about your experience with lean methodologies and continuous improvement initiatives. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance management on the shop floor and the impact it had on operations.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since strong stakeholder engagement is key for this role, prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with engineering, quality, and project teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you build relationships across different departments.
