Production Optimisation Manager in Bristol

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, security and energy transition ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state‑of‑the‑art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state‑owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well‑positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

The Production Optimisation Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence and efficiency across all production areas. This role focuses on designing, implementing, and coordinating production improvement initiatives that are strategically aligned with corporate objectives. Working closely with area leaders and management teams, the Production Optimisation Manager ensures continuous improvement, cost optimisation, and sustainable productivity gains across all sites.

The Role

• Lead the development and execution of production optimisation strategies across multiple sites.
• Identify and implement best practices to improve productivity, quality, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Coordinate improvement initiatives ensuring alignment with corporate goals and operational priorities.
• Analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate operational performance, detect inefficiencies, and identify risks or opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions to drive measurable performance gains.
• Promote and apply continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to optimise processes and eliminate waste.
• Co‑lead transformation and operational excellence projects in collaboration with local and regional management.
• Facilitate problem‑solving workshops, root cause analyses, and improvement events.
• Advise and support local production teams in implementing optimisation initiatives.
• Lead strategic review meetings with General Managers and Area Managers to assess performance, share insights, and ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Identify opportunities for synergies and best practice replication across sites and regions.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation within production teams.
• Support the organisation’s transformation journey towards operational excellence and long‑term sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Operations Management, or a related field (preferred).
• Strong experience in production or operations management, with a strong focus on process optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Proven track record in implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies in manufacturing or production environments.
• Experience in leading cross‑functional improvement projects and managing change across multiple sites.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) is highly desirable.

Additional Information

• The chance to work on complex, cutting‑edge naval projects.
• Competitive salary.
• Company pension.
• Learning & development opportunities to keep building your career.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.

Equal Opportunity

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role online please contact us at people.skills@harland‑wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.