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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing operations, ensuring effective production and high performance across diverse defence products.
- Company: Join SEA, a leader in advanced solutions for global safety and efficiency.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, private health insurance, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by protecting what matters while driving innovation in manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in manufacturing engineering required.
- Other info: Be part of a small, dynamic team making a big difference globally.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 102000 £ per year.
Engineered to Protect, that’s our promise, we protect what matters - our nations, our waters, our land, our cities, our people, our environment, our world. As Head of Manufacturing Operations, you'll be the strategic leader for the Manufacturing Operations function at SEA, ensuring that production is effective, disciplined and capable of delivering on time, cost and quality.
You’ll be tasked with elevating manufacturing performance at SEA, strengthening process governance, and developing a high‑performing production organisation capable of supporting a diverse portfolio of defence products. The Head of Manufacturing Operations will be based at our Barnstaple site with the opportunity for flexible working. The salary for this role is up to £73k, depending on experience.
What you’ll be doing
- Leadership of manufacturing functions: Provide end to end leadership of Production, Production Engineering, and Production Training. Ensure each function operates cohesively with clear priorities, governance, and accountability. Develop future capability, skill progression, and a strong leadership pipeline across all areas.
- Strategic Direction & Transformation: Define and execute the strategic direction for Manufacturing Operations in alignment with business growth and operational transformation. Implement a roadmap to modernise manufacturing methods, capability, and digital tools (ERP, PLM, MES). Drive a culture of continuous improvement, process discipline, and right first time behaviours.
- Manufacturing Execution & Flow Management: Own execution of production schedules, ensuring stable flow, takt adherence, and proactive constraint management. Strengthen governance through daily tiered meetings, GEMBA, and visual management systems. Ensure accurate as built records, configuration compliance, and engineering change control.
- Production engineering leadership: Focused on driving manufacturability improvements, ensuring that production engineering provides timely support to de-risk builds and improve quality.
- Production training & competence management: Leading the development of production skills and competence frameworks, in an environment of structured learning and hands-on development.
- Performance, quality & compliance: Working with the team to create and maintain a KPI dashboard for delivery, efficiency, quality, utilisation and EHS.
About our company
At SEA, we develop and deliver advanced solutions to make our world safer, cleaner and more efficient. We provide state-of-the-art applications for naval ship and fleet protection, and undersea surveillance systems. In-service across the globe, our systems deliver a rapid response to threats and system effectiveness and interoperation. Our systems support an ever-growing number of navies across the world, and we continue to bolster our already specialist, on-the-ground knowledge of key overseas markets.
What we offer
- Work life balance
- Hybrid/flexible working arrangements
- 25 days’ annual leave, plus buy and sell
- Up to 16 days flexi leave accrual
- Half day Fridays
- Reservists in the Armed Forces receive special paid leave
- Family & wellbeing: Private medical health insurance & Employee Assistance Program, Group Pension Plan of up to 7% employer contribution, Cycle to work scheme, Wellbeing Centre, Sports & Social activities, Employee Discounts portal - online and in-store discounts, travel savings, Life assurance policy, Publication and recruitment bonus rewards.
- Development opportunities: Including LinkedIn learning.
- Facilities & resources: Electric vehicle charging points at all sites, Private seated lunch areas, Onsite bistro (Barnstaple office) and free hot and cold beverages, Onsite showers and toiletries provision, Free onsite parking.
The skills you need
- Strong leadership and people development capabilities, proven ability to inspire, support and develop a team toward high performance.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and process-optimisation skills, prior experience of developing a manufacturing engineering function.
- Ability to manage change, embed new processes, and drive cultural improvements.
Join us and be part of something smaller - with 500 people in the UK and Canada - doing something bigger: protecting what matters.
Head of Manufacturing Operations in Devon employer: Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA)
Contact Detail:
Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing Operations in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at SEA on LinkedIn or through industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching SEA's recent projects and innovations. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to our mission of protecting what matters.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you've inspired teams or driven change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing Operations in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in manufacturing operations. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of protecting what matters.
Showcase Leadership Skills: As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've inspired teams and driven performance improvements in previous roles.
Highlight Problem-Solving Abilities: We love candidates who can think on their feet! Include specific instances where you’ve tackled challenges in manufacturing processes or improved operational efficiency.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our system quickly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA)
✨Know Your Manufacturing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in manufacturing operations, especially around digital tools like ERP and MES. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented modernisation in past roles and how it can elevate performance at SEA.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've developed high-performing teams. Think about specific instances where you inspired change or improved processes, as this role is all about leading and developing people.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with SEA's commitment to protecting what matters. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission through effective manufacturing operations.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about challenges you've faced in manufacturing and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to manage change effectively.