At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale manufacturing operations in a fast-paced, innovative defence technology environment.
- Company: Join OpenWorks, a rapidly growing leader in defence engineering with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of manufacturing in cutting-edge defence technology.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in manufacturing and strong operational capabilities required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Head of Manufacturing to lead and scale manufacturing operations at OpenWorks as we continue our growth as an innovative defence technology and engineering business. This is a highly influential leadership role, responsible for driving operational excellence, strengthening manufacturing capability and enhancing delivery performance across the organisation.
Leading our Production and Production Engineering functions, you will work closely with Engineering, Supply Chain and senior leadership teams to develop scalable, efficient and resilient manufacturing operations that support ambitious growth plans. The role is ideally suited to a leader who is passionate about developing high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement and balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational engagement in a fast-paced, engineering-led environment.
As Head of Manufacturing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of our operational evolution - building the systems, processes and capabilities needed to scale successfully while preserving the agility, pace and collaborative culture that define OpenWorks.
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations.
Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced, and people genuinely love what they do. Here’s what our benefits have to offer:
- Rewarding Success - Competitive salary and bonus package, with performance bonuses of up to 25% and clear opportunities for career progression.
- Enhanced Pension – Up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
- More Time to Recharge – 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, long-service rewards, and the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
- Breakfast & Lunch on Us – Enjoy team breakfasts and freshly prepared lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
- Health & Wellbeing – Private healthcare and life assurance for added peace of mind.
- Sustainable Travel – Salary sacrifice schemes, including EV car and Cycle to Work options.
- Team Socials – Regular events, from quiz nights and football to board games and more.
- Learning & Growth – A culture that empowers you to challenge, grow and make an impact, plus a £250 annual learning budget to invest in the development that matters most to you.
Department, People and Resource Management
- Lead and develop teams: Support and develop Manufacturing teams, creating an environment that encourages ownership, accountability, continuous improvement while strengthening the functions capability as the business continues to scale.
- People & Capability: Foster talent development through effective performance management, coaching, succession planning, recruitment and wellbeing initiatives.
- Build strong relationships: Foster effective collaboration across Engineering, Manufacturing and wider business departments.
- Manage departmental resources: Oversee Manufacturing budgets and support future workforce and capability planning.
Manufacturing Operations
- Operational Leadership: Lead Production and Production Engineering functions, driving delivery performance, manufacturing efficiency, product quality and operational excellence.
- Planning & Execution: Oversee production scheduling, capacity planning, resource deployment and build prioritisation to ensure effective, predictable and scalable delivery.
- Process Improvement & Scalability: Develop robust manufacturing processes, systems and management disciplines that improve throughput, yield, quality and operational maturity while supporting business growth.
- Engineering Integration: Partner closely with Engineering teams on DFM/DFX, new product introduction and transition-to-production activities, creating repeatable and scalable manufacturing solutions for defence and electro-optical products.
Manufacturing Strategy and Scale-Up
- Develop manufacturing strategy: Support future production growth, operational scalability and increasing product complexity.
- Identify operational risks: Proactively address bottlenecks, capacity constraints and operational challenges before they impact delivery.
- Support operational expansion: Contribute to facility expansion, production layout optimisation and future manufacturing planning.
- Improve operational planning: Develop scalable KPIs, reporting systems and forecasting processes alongside Procurement and Finance teams.
- Support NPI readiness: Ensure manufacturing readiness for new product introduction activities.
Quality and Compliance
- Quality & Compliance: Ensure manufacturing activities operate in line with the QMS, maintaining audit readiness while driving improvements in quality, process control and operational discipline.
ERP and Operational Systems
- Operational Systems & Data: Drive improvements in ERP, manufacturing data and process integrity, enhancing operational visibility, control and scalability.
What we’re looking for:
Essential
- Manufacturing leadership experience: Significant leadership experience within manufacturing operations environments.
- Production and Engineering management: Experience managing both Production and Manufacturing/Production Engineering functions.
- Operational scaling experience: Experience scaling manufacturing operations within growing engineering or technology businesses.
- Strong operational capability: Strong understanding of manufacturing process control, operational improvement and production flow management.
- Engineering collaboration: Experience working closely with engineering-led product organisations.
- Budget and workforce management: Experience managing departmental budgets, workforce planning and operational resources.
- Regulated industry experience: Experience operating within defence, aerospace, medical, robotics or other high-reliability manufacturing sectors.
- Strong communication skills: Able to build credibility and collaborate effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing and leadership teams while remaining calm under pressure.
Desirable
- Sector experience: Experience within electro-optics, robotics, sensing, defence or high-reliability electronics environments.
- ERP/MRP systems experience: Experience implementing or improving ERP/MRP systems within manufacturing operations.
- Operational scale-up experience: Experience supporting facility expansion and operational growth activities.
- Continuous improvement knowledge: Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- NPI experience: Understanding of new product introduction and transition-to-production processes.
More about us:
Vision Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
Mission Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.
Values
- Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest.
- Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done.
- Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility.
- We are one team: Look out for each other and the team.
- Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on.
- Have fun: We’re doing amazing things with passionate people.
Head of Manufacturing in Prudhoe employer: OpenWorks Engineering
OpenWorks is an exceptional employer located in the North East of England, offering a dynamic work environment where finance professionals can thrive. With a competitive remuneration package, generous holiday allowance, and a culture that promotes personal growth and teamwork, employees enjoy unique benefits such as free meals and private healthcare. The company is dedicated to innovation in defence technology, providing meaningful work that contributes to global safety while fostering a supportive and fun workplace atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing in Prudhoe
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like OpenWorks Engineering, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing in Prudhoe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to OpenWorks Engineering specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenWorks Engineering
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with OpenWorks Engineering, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like OpenWorks Engineering value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
