ESMU Business Unit Manager

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The role:

We are seeking an experienced Business Unit Manager to lead our Engineered Systems Manufacturing Unit (ESMU). Reporting to the UK Supply Operations Manager, you will take full ownership of engineering and production functions, driving performance, growth, and continuous improvement across the business unit. This is a senior leadership role where you will shape strategic direction, deliver operational excellence, and foster a high-performance, engaged team culture.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership and performance management to drive engagement and results across a multi-skilled team.
• Set and deliver the strategic direction, KPIs, and sales growth targets for the business unit.
• Take full accountability for production performance, quality, delivery, and efficiency metrics.
• Lead and develop engineering and production teams to ensure optimal performance and capability.
• Drive a strong health, safety, and environmental culture across all operations.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Manage departmental objectives, budgets, and contribute to P&L performance.
• Collaborate with internal teams, suppliers, and customers to support product development and business growth.
• Ensure high standards of operational discipline, including 5S, TPM, and visual management practices.
• Provide regular reporting and insights on performance to senior leadership teams.

Your experience:

• Proven experience in a customer-focused or service delivery environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading continuous improvement and lean initiatives.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience delivering business growth strategies.
• Experience managing production and engineering functions within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Track record of successfully managing change and improving operational performance.
• Experience in a similar leadership or business unit management role is advantageous.

Your skills:

• Inspirational leadership style with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
• Strong decision-making capability with a results-driven mindset.
• Ability to lead by example, including a hands-on and technically credible approach.
• Passion for developing high-performing teams and individuals.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities and add value beyond immediate functional responsibilities.
• Collaborative and coaching-focused approach to leadership.

Benefits:

You will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts’ portal.

We also offer a range of additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan.

We are passionate about creating inclusive and equitable working cultures where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential. For us, that means supportive teams and strong relationships where everyone’s contribution is valued - across social and cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, genders, gender identities, abilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and everything else that makes us human and unique.

We want everyone to be able to make their difference here, so we will always consider requests for flexible working. We know that everyone needs some extra help from time to time too, so we have introduced a range of additional benefits through our Group Inclusion Commitments.

We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like to apply using this scheme, please select this option in our application form or notify our recruitment partners.