At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise sheet metal production while driving team performance and efficiency.
- Company: Established sheet metal manufacturer with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, early Friday finishes, and genuine leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to safety and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role with autonomy and growth potential.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience and knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes.
The predicted salary is between 47500 - 52500 £ per year.
Sector: Sheet Metal Manufacturing
Location: Chorley
Salary: [£ Competitive — Circa £50K]
Hours: 39 per week (Mon–Thu 7:30am–4:30pm, Fri 7:30am–12:30pm) — enjoy your Friday afternoons back
Reports to: Managing Director
Lead the floor. Drive the performance. Build the team.
We are working with a well-established sheet metal manufacturer to recruit a hands-on, results-driven Manufacturing Manager to take full ownership of their Sheet Metal Production Department. This is the role for someone who knows the shop floor as well as the spreadsheet — a leader who can hit production targets today while building the systems, people, and culture that win tomorrow.
If you understand laser cutting, punching, bending, fabrication, welding, finishing, paint and assembly — and you get a buzz out of turning a busy production area into a smooth, efficient, profitable operation — we want to hear from you.
What you'll be responsible for:
- Production & delivery — Building weekly and monthly production plans, chairing daily/weekly meetings, coordinating workflow across areas, and delivering customer orders On Time In Full (OTIF) while driving down lead times.
- Efficiency & improvement — Improving labour efficiency, machine utilisation and OEE, reducing downtime, scrap and rework, and leading Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Quality — Maintaining and improving the Quality Management System, investigating root causes of defects, and championing a "Right First Time" culture.
- People & leadership — Developing skills across the teams, conducting appraisals, building succession plans, and promoting a positive, disciplined, high-performing environment.
- Health & Safety — Promoting a zero-accident culture, running risk assessments and safety reviews, and ensuring full compliance with statutory obligations.
- Cost control — Managing labour costs and overtime within budget, reducing cost per unit, and ensuring accurate job costing through clocking discipline and ERP accuracy.
What we're looking for:
- Strong leadership and team management experience in a manufacturing environment
- Solid knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes
- Production planning and capacity management expertise
- ERP system proficiency
- Financial and cost awareness
- Lean Manufacturing knowledge
- Confident problem-solving and root cause analysis
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- A sound understanding of Health & Safety
How you'll be measured:
You'll own a clear set of KPIs, including OTIF delivery, output vs plan, OEE and machine utilisation, labour efficiency and cost per unit, Right First Time and reject rates, safety performance (LTIs, near-miss reporting), and team metrics such as turnover, absenteeism and training.
What's on offer:
- A genuine leadership role with real autonomy and direct access to the Managing Director
- An early Friday finish every week
Ready to apply? To find out more or to apply, please submit your CV or call (phone number removed) and one of our consultants will be in touch. We are an equal opportunities recruiter and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Manufacturing Manager in Chorley employer: Motion Group Agency Limited
Join a well-established sheet metal manufacturer in Chorley, where you will enjoy a competitive salary and a supportive work culture that values leadership and continuous improvement. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while leading a high-performing team in a dynamic environment, all while benefiting from an early finish on Fridays to enjoy your weekends.
Contact Details:
Motion Group Agency Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Manager in Chorley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out before your interview. Research their production processes, values, and recent achievements. This will help us show that you're genuinely interested and ready to lead the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some solid examples of how you've driven performance and improved efficiency in past roles. We want to hear about your hands-on experience with lean manufacturing and how you tackled challenges on the shop floor.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Manufacturing Manager, you'll need to inspire and lead your team. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable discussing your leadership style and vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Manager in Chorley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Manufacturing Manager role. Highlight your experience in sheet metal manufacturing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can drive performance and build a strong team!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills—show us how you’ve used them! Whether it’s improving efficiency or managing production plans, give us examples that demonstrate your expertise in manufacturing processes and lean initiatives.
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 role. Talk about your passion for manufacturing and how you can contribute to our culture of continuous improvement.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Motion Group Agency Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes. Be ready to discuss specifics like laser cutting, bending, and welding. Showing that you understand the technical side will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in a manufacturing environment. Think about times when you improved efficiency or resolved conflicts. This role is all about leadership, so demonstrating your experience here is key.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the role, such as OEE and labour efficiency. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive improvements in past roles. This shows you're results-oriented and can hit production targets.
✨Safety First
Understand the importance of health and safety in manufacturing. Be ready to talk about how you've promoted a zero-accident culture in previous positions. This will show that you take safety seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe working environment.
