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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape manufacturing operations for complex aerospace and defence systems.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation supporting the Armed Forces.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company bonus, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Clear progression opportunities into senior leadership roles for high performers.
- Why this job: Drive continuous improvement and influence senior leadership in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in manufacturing management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 66500 - 73500 £ per year.
As part of MBDA's continual volume growth and operational expansion, you could join our highly technical manufacturing environment as a Manufacturing Operations Manager with a pivotal role in shaping operational performance ensuring the delivery of complex, critical defence programmes. Additionally, having the knowledge, skills and personal drive to lead multi-functional groups to evolve our ways of operating towards a future state of manufacturing excellence.
Compensation
- Salary: Circa £70,000 depending on experience.
- Working Dynamic: 5 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. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS).
What we can offer you
- Company Bonus: 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: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave; enhancements 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 the broader challenge of delivering our volume growth across complex, critical defence programmes. You will lead and shape multi-functional teams, evolving our ways of operating and embedding best practices across manufacturing operations. A key focus will be fostering a strong continuous improvement culture that drives performance, builds capability and ensures the achievement and sustainment of manufacturing excellence. You could find yourself leading the growth of a high-volume production programme or leading the transition of complex systems into stable, repeatable manufacturing, whilst continuing to mature production operations by influencing the team and help shape the future.
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 and developing its people.
- Identify improvements to our existing manufacturing and lead multi-functional groups and evolve our ways of operating.
- 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.
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, whilst utilising and implementing a variety of lean tools ensuring successful implementation and change management.
- Strong leadership skills that ensure accountability and ownership at all levels.
- Being forthcoming with new ideas and better ways of working that means we challenge the norm in a proactive and inclusive manner.
- 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
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 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.
Manufacturing Operations Manager employer: MBDA
Contact Detail:
MBDA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing and defence sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching MBDA and their projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in manufacturing operations. Tailor your responses to highlight your leadership skills and continuous improvement mindset, showing them you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your achievements in leading multi-functional teams and driving operational excellence. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Make sure to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Manufacturing Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading multi-functional teams and driving continuous improvement, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background in complex manufacturing environments makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for what we do at MBDA.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've led successful projects or improved processes in previous roles. This helps us understand the impact you've made in your past positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes, especially in complex environments like aerospace or defence. Familiarise yourself with lean tools and continuous improvement methodologies, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience leading multi-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you've driven performance improvements and fostered a culture of accountability and ownership in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in past projects. Be prepared to share specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in achieving project goals or resolving conflicts.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in MBDA's operations and future challenges. This could include inquiries about their approach to continuous improvement or how they manage the transition of new products into stable production lines.