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- Tasks: Lead assembly operations for complex submarine programmes in a regulated engineering environment.
- Company: Join a leading defence and marine sector company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and generous leave package.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the defence industry while leading dynamic teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing leadership and a background in engineering is essential.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Assembly to lead the delivery of complex assembly programmes within a highly regulated engineering environment. This role is responsible for ensuring all assembly activities are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
You will lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams, driving operational excellence while supporting programme delivery across large-scale, complex engineered products within the defence and marine sector.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and manage assembly operations to deliver programmes in line with quality, cost, and delivery targets
- Ensure all activities comply with Health & Safety regulations and internal quality standards
- Drive operational performance against revenue, cash, and programme milestones
- Identify, manage, and mitigate programme risks and opportunities
- Provide clear leadership and direction to assembly teams, ensuring successful delivery of contracted outputs
- Coordinate operational updates and maintain strong communication across internal stakeholders
- Influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, supply chain, and programme management
- Support and contribute to continuous improvement and transformation initiatives
- Implement best-in-class visual management and operational reporting practices
- Develop and mentor team leaders, supporting capability growth across the wider team
- Contribute to the development and sustainment of world-class manufacturing facilities
- Proven experience in a senior manufacturing or assembly leadership role
- Strong background in complex engineering or heavy manufacturing environments
- Experience delivering programmes within defence, marine, aerospace, or similarly regulated industries (preferred)
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across concurrent projects
- Strong understanding of operational performance, programme delivery, and production management
- Experience in change management, continuous improvement, or transformation programmes
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational involvement
- Excellent stakeholder management and senior-level communication skills
- Proven ability to work under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines
- Minimum: NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
- Preferred: HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
- Bonus: 10% annual incentive scheme
- Car Allowance: £508.25 per month (£6,099 per annum)
- Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week
- Benefits Package: 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), flexible working hours with the ability to accrue up to 12 additional days leave, pension scheme with up to 8% employer contribution, death in service cover (up to 5x basic salary), health care cash plan (including dental, physiotherapy, and other treatments)
Additional Information: Travel: ~10% domestic, ~5% international. Role operates within a highly regulated environment, requiring adherence to strict security and compliance standards. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be eligible for security clearance.
Head of Assembly in Leeds employer: Morson Talent
Contact Detail:
Morson Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Assembly in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and marine sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their projects, values, and challenges. We want you to walk in there with confidence, ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past roles, highlight specific examples where you led teams to success. We’re talking about real results here – think operational performance and programme delivery.
✨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 are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you that Head of Assembly role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Assembly in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Assembly role. Highlight your experience in complex engineering environments and leadership roles. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered on challenging projects in the past.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you’ve driven operational performance and managed successful programmes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morson Talent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of complex assembly programmes and the specific challenges faced in the defence and marine sectors. Familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and quality standards, as this will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Think about times when you drove operational excellence or managed programme risks. This will help demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide teams effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since the role involves strong stakeholder management, be ready to discuss how you've maintained communication across various teams and ensured everyone is aligned on project goals.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to talk about your experience with change management and continuous improvement initiatives. Highlight specific examples where you've implemented best practices or transformed processes, as this aligns perfectly with the expectations for the Head of Assembly role.