Production Manager in Wimborne Minster

Location: Dorset

Salary: Up to £65K

Hours: Monday to Friday, Days

About the Company

Our client is an established aerospace manufacturing business operating within a precision engineering environment. The company supplies high-quality components to the aerospace sector and is focused on maintaining strong standards across safety, quality, delivery, cost and people development.

The Role

Reporting to the General Manager, the Production Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day performance of production, ensuring that manufacturing operations are delivered safely, efficiently, on time and to the required quality standards. This is a hands-on leadership position within a precision machining and aerospace manufacturing environment, working closely with Engineering, Quality, HR, Finance, Supply Chain and other operational functions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for production planning, resource utilisation, productivity, delivery performance, cost control and the development of the production team, whilst driving continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day production activities across the manufacturing operation.
• Develop and implement production plans and schedules to meet customer demand and delivery requirements.
• Monitor production performance, identifying bottlenecks and taking action to improve workflow and output.
• Manage productivity, machine utilisation and standard hours across production areas.
• Ensure production targets and sales plans are clearly communicated, understood and achieved.
• Work closely with Team Leaders to monitor and improve shop floor performance.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across production.
• Identify opportunities to improve machining processes, efficiency and resource utilisation.
• Manage and monitor production-related expenditure, including tooling and consumables.
• Work with Finance and Operations to manage production budgets and ensure cost-effective operations.
• Work closely with Quality to maintain product conformity and ensure aerospace standards are consistently achieved.
• Ensure appropriate standards are maintained around calibration, traceability and inspection equipment.
• Support Practical Problem Solving and root cause analysis activities to address production and quality issues.
• Champion a strong culture of health and safety and ensure safe systems of work are followed.
• Lead, motivate and develop production teams, including Team Leaders, technicians and engineering personnel.
• Work with HR to ensure appropriate skills availability and production capacity.
• Conduct and support PDRs and employee development activities across the shop floor.
• Identify skills gaps and support training and development initiatives.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration between Production, Engineering, Quality, Logistics and other departments.
• Prepare and report on key production performance indicators to senior management.
• Ensure production activities remain compliant with relevant aerospace standards, regulations and customer requirements.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience in a Production Manager or senior production leadership position within an aerospace or precision engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations within a precision machining environment.
• Experience managing production teams and developing Team Leaders and shop floor personnel.
• Proven experience managing budgets, production spend and operational costs.
• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Experience monitoring and improving productivity, machine utilisation and delivery performance.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong understanding of quality, safety and compliance within an aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to engage effectively with shop floor teams and senior management.

Desirable

• IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
• Lean / Six Sigma training or qualification.
• ILM Level 3 or equivalent leadership qualification.
• Experience working within an AS9100 or similar aerospace quality environment.
• Experience within CNC machining or precision manufacturing.
• Experience managing production KPIs including productivity, OTIF, RFT and machine utilisation.
• Experience with practical problem-solving methodologies and continuous improvement programmes.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary depending on experience.
• Senior leadership position within an established aerospace manufacturing business.
• Opportunity to have a direct impact on production performance and operational improvement.
• Responsibility for developing and leading a skilled manufacturing team.
• Ongoing opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Monday to Friday, day-shift working pattern.
• Company benefits package.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Production Manager who enjoys leading people, improving manufacturing performance and taking ownership of safety, quality, cost and delivery within an aerospace environment. If you have a strong background in precision manufacturing, aerospace production and continuous improvement, we would be keen to hear from you.