Production Manager

This management role will oversee our production line in Basingstoke, North Hampshire. The Production Manager will report directly to the COO and be supported by the QA Lead and Programme Manager. Applicants must have extensive experience in production management in a similar environment and have the necessary experience to manage multidisciplinary teams.

Primary Purpose of this Position

Provide leadership and supervision to the production staff, including resource control, training, and performance management. You are responsible for the production section, supervision and control of resources to meet day to day targets whilst meeting production requirements. You need to foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within the production department. Conduct regular team meetings to communicate goals, objectives, and performance expectations.

Further Purpose of this Position

Support the Production and Engineering as products progress through all stages of the development and production process. Coordinate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of raw materials and components needed for production. Monitor inventory levels and develop inventory management strategies to minimise waste and excess inventory. Ensure that the implemented systems for tracking and reporting on inventory levels, usage, and replenishment work to meet the needs of production.

Main Duties of this Position

• Deployment of production technicians as required by the production schedule to meet completion dates according to modification stages, build specification and ultimately customer orders.
• Review and preparation of work packages, travellers, and schedules for production along with monitoring and reporting on drawing and material issues.
• Assist with problem solving of design related issues on existing and new product developments.
• Independently manage personal workload across multiple projects, in line with milestone gates.
• Co-ordinate with Engineering the implementation of design changes.
• Liaison with other functional areas including Procurement, Engineering, Development and QA.
• Reporting of progress, status and plans to complete.
• Ensure that assigned section activities are conducted in accordance with company procedures and standards ensuring high quality output.
• Responsible for production elements, from initial receipting of material to final assembly test and final delivery.
• Actively support team members in production duties as and when required.
• Build electro-mechanical assemblies to IPC-A-610 standard.
• Pack products for shipment.
• Check quality of the product through inspection and work in tandem with QA lead.
• Record and report any discrepancies or non-conformances.
• Monitor and achieve targets – output, quality, cost and health & safety.
• Champion continuous improvement within the section and support initiatives to improve delivery times, process time, cost, quality, housekeeping and eliminate waste.
• Train colleagues when required, to agreed company standards in working practices and processes.
• Support team building and promote good working relations through example and good practice.
• Use the non-conformance process to ensure defective material is returned to supplier.
• Facilitate Health and Safety and Environmental procedures, ensuring staff adhere to relevant safety and environmental requirements.
• Ensure that non-conforming products are correctly administered and segregated.
• Work with Engineering and the Programme Director to assist in the administration of ECNs and concessions.
• Implement robust tool control measures day to day tooling and for precision tools and the calibration of tools and test equipment that require certification.
• Maintain general housekeeping of the production areas.
• Oversee the kitting of kits for the production staff.
• Coordinate the waste control including cardboard and WEEE.
• Provide where necessary information for DRACAS for production, travellers and build instructions.
• Be a member of the company H&S executive team.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• HNC or BEng in Mechanical Engineering, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience.
• Comprehensive experience within a production environment.
• Experience in management of a production line.
• Strong understanding of modern design practices and manufacturing/prototyping processes and their cost drivers.
• Good communication skills.
• Support continuous improvement activities.
• Understanding of quality standards and systems. Able to work within an ISO 9001 environment.
• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office Suite Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently under minimum supervision.

Special Features of this position

• Understand the impact of design decisions on cost, timings and production build.
• Have a general interest in IT equipment and uses in the secure and rugged markets.
• Basic knowledge of UK & US Military EMC and Environmental Test Standards, E.G. Mil Stan 810, 461, Def Stan 00-35 & Def Stan 59-411.
• Able to work with good attention to detail to produce concise documentation always aiming for a “right first time” approach.
• Ability to gain SC clearance.
• Full UK Driving license desirable.
• Willingness to travel to customer and supplier sites.