Head of Manufacturing - OE & Development in Bristol

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Manufacturing to join our Defence Operations team in Bristol. As Head of Manufacturing OE & Development you will be responsible for defining and delivering the operating model across our OE Assembly and Development facilities, to ensure they are capable of fully meeting business and customer requirements for safety, quality, cost, and delivery (SQCD). In this role, you will be responsible for defining the operating culture and provide the coaching required to fully inspire, motivate and enable a high performing, multi-functional workforce. In Defence Operations, Safety is our first priority. As such you will inspire and lead your team to create an environment and a culture that always put People, Product and Process Safety first.

In line with Rolls-Royce Leadership expectations (Perform and Transform), you will lead both the operational delivery and transformation of your OE and Development area of operations. The role will be responsible for the introduction and ramp up of a range of OE and Development related manufacturing processes and operational capabilities. The role will lead technical support to operations (including problem solving, non-conformance management and method of manufacture ownership for the production of products) and drive continuous improvement with the team.

As a Senior Leader you will be accountable for managing a multi-functional leadership team, which includes operations, planning, quality, manufacturing engineering and business improvement disciplines. You will have full accountability for ensuring that you and the team deliver quality products to customers on time and right first time.

This multifaceted role will give you an opportunity to work in a world class engineering and manufacturing environment, using your knowledge of security standards and compliance to ensure the highest standards of security are maintained.

What you will be doing:

• Facilitating the development and operation of the manufacturing processes (Capability Acquisition, Product Introduction & Continuous Improvement) within the facility.
• Developing, optimising and executing an effective load and capacity planning regime, balancing near and long-term planning horizons in line with strategy.
• Managing plant bottlenecks and constraints to achieve flow through the plant.
• Driving plant inventory targets and eliminating slow moving WIP.
• Defining, implementing and delivering the Zero Harm plan for the plant.
• Ensuring full compliance to health, safety and environmental standards.
• Responsibility for the delivery of the HSE strategic plan.
• Accountability for ensuring that all work is carried out in compliance with the required standards to ensure conformance to engineering specifications and regulatory requirements, and for promoting a product safety culture in the organisation.
• Designing, influencing and deploying the strategic plan for Zero Defects for the plant.
• Developing and agreeing the operational and financial budgets for the facility; Implementing robust monitoring and controlling of the areas financials to ensure the budget is met.
• Ensuring that plant leadership cross functional team members receive training, coaching and development to carry out their roles effectively.
• Driving plant flexibility by optimising training plans across the plant.
• Ensuring that relevant Production System minimum standards are fully deployed and sustained within the business in support of performance objectives.
• Coaching of the cross functional team to continuously improve.
• Inspiring the manufacturing team to consistently deliver high levels of performance through facilitation, coaching and the demonstration of lean leadership behaviours.
• Ensuring potential threats to the objectives of the plant are regularly and clearly identified, assessed and managed to acceptable levels.
• Ensuring robust Business Continuity Plans are in place for all key resources and are refreshed and tested regularly.
• Understanding and leading the deployment and use of digital systems and processes to improve product cost, quality and performance.

Who we’re looking for:

At Rolls-Royce we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form the behaviours that guide us and are an essential component of our assessment process. They are the fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles. For this role you will need to demonstrate understanding of the applicable health and safety standards and we are looking for someone who is/has:

• Proven track record of Manufacturing Leadership experience within a large or global high technology engineering organisation.
• Strong leadership qualities to provide strategic direction, inspire teams, and drive results.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills and ability to influence at all levels.
• Credible expert with growth mindset, strong financial/commercial acumen and customer focus.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex ideas, negotiate effectively, and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate complex business environments.
• Experience of working with trade unions.
• Inclusive and purposeful in their approach.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement attitude.
• Experience in industries such as energy, defence, aerospace is preferable although not mandatory.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.