At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing operations, drive performance, and develop teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Established UK manufacturer known for innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Join a culture of excellence and contribute to long-term success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with autonomy and responsibility.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing leadership and a passion for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
An established UK manufacturer with a strong reputation for innovation, engineering excellence and product quality is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Site Manager to lead operations at its Kent-based manufacturing facility.
This is a key leadership opportunity for an ambitious manufacturing professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, quality-focused environment and has a passion for developing people, improving processes and delivering operational excellence. The successful candidate will take responsibility for driving performance across the site, ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing operations while supporting the organisation’s continued growth and improvement journey.
The Role
Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day performance of the manufacturing site, leading production teams and working collaboratively with engineering, quality, supply chain, procurement and other key business functions. You will provide visible leadership across the operation, creating a culture where safety, quality, accountability and continuous improvement are embedded into everyday working practices.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading all manufacturing activities to achieve agreed targets across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People performance.
- Developing and delivering site improvement plans to increase productivity, efficiency and operational capability.
- Leading, coaching and developing manufacturing teams, managers and future leaders.
- Driving Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste and improve performance.
- Establishing and monitoring operational KPIs, using data to identify opportunities and deliver measurable improvements.
- Ensuring manufacturing processes consistently achieve required quality and customer standards.
- Working closely with engineering teams to support process improvements, equipment upgrades and new product introductions.
- Collaborating with supply chain and planning functions to improve flow, capacity and delivery performance.
- Championing a proactive health and safety culture and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and procedures.
- Supporting change initiatives and helping shape the future development of the manufacturing operation.
About You
You will be an experienced manufacturing leader with a strong track record of managing teams and improving performance within a manufacturing environment. You will bring a practical, hands-on leadership style combined with the ability to think strategically, influence stakeholders and deliver sustainable operational improvements.
Ideally, you will have:
- Significant experience leading manufacturing, production or site operations.
- Experience managing a manufacturing facility or a substantial production operation.
- A strong understanding of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and operational excellence principles.
- A proven record of improving performance across safety, quality, delivery and cost measures.
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop teams.
- Experience within an engineering, assembly, consumer products or similarly quality-driven manufacturing environment.
- The ability to analyse data, identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
- Excellent communication skills with the confidence to work across all levels of an organisation.
Why Join?
This is an exciting opportunity to join an established and innovative manufacturing organisation where you will have the autonomy and responsibility to make a real impact. You will play a key role in developing site capability, improving operational performance and supporting a culture of excellence across the manufacturing operation. The organisation is committed to investing in its people, processes and future capabilities, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to influence meaningful change and contribute to long-term success.
Site Operations Manager in Dartford employer: The Sterling Choice
The Sterling Choice offers a dynamic work environment where innovation meets stability, making it an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling career in food manufacturing. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, team members benefit from ongoing training and support, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. Located in Andover, the company provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital industry while enjoying the perks of a permanent night shift schedule that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Operations Manager in Dartford
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like The Sterling Choice, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Site Operations Manager in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to The Sterling Choice specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sterling Choice
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with The Sterling Choice, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like The Sterling Choice value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
