Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in a dynamic automotive manufacturing environment, ensuring top performance and quality.
- Company: Join ZF Automotive, a leader in innovative mobility solutions with a strong focus on teamwork.
- Benefits: Earn up to £60k, enjoy a pension, Medicash, and bonus opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the automotive industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Operations Management; Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Team: The UEERO Operations team comprises a total of 92-93 employees and is known for its strong performance culture and deep operational expertise. Leadership responsibility includes 85 direct reports and 7-8 indirect reports, with coordination across logistics, engineering, and maintenance functions. The team is highly passionate about customer satisfaction and delivery excellence, consistently balancing safety, quality, and cost objectives. A strong focus on meeting budget targets and operational commitments underpins daily decision‑making. The level of technical and process knowledge within the team is exceptionally high, creating a solid foundation for continuous improvement and reliable execution.
What you can look forward to as Operations Plant Manager:
- Production & Operations Leadership: Lead day‑to‑day operations across SMT, PCB assembly, electronics testing, and final assembly, ensuring the achievement of key performance indicators such as OEE, scrap, throughput, delivery performance, and labour efficiency. Manage capacity planning, production scheduling, and resource allocation to meet customer demand.
- Quality & Compliance: Ensure full adherence to IATF 16949 requirements and support internal and external audits. Collaborate closely with Quality Engineering and Supplier Quality to resolve issues using 8D, PFMEA, and control plans, and drive corrective and preventive actions to meet OEM quality expectations.
- Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing: Implement Lean, Kaizen, 5S, SMED, and waste reduction programmes, applying DMAIC and Six Sigma methodologies to improve process stability and reduce variation. Lead digitalisation initiatives including MES systems, traceability solutions, and automated testing.
- Supply Chain & Materials Management: Oversee inbound materials, inventory accuracy, and material flow in line with JIT/JIS delivery models. Work closely with Procurement and Logistics to mitigate supply risks such as semiconductor shortages, strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing premium freight and line‑stop risks.
- Leadership & People Management: Lead, manage, coach, mentor, and develop production supervisors, engineers, technicians, and production unit leadership. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement, while ensuring performance management, succession planning, empowerment, clear accountability, diversity, and compliance in line with the ZF way.
- Customer & Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the operational interface for OEM customers, ensuring high levels of satisfaction in quality, delivery, and launch readiness. Support APQP and PPAP activities for new product introductions and work cross‑functionally with Engineering, Program Management, and Finance to achieve business objectives.
Your profile as Operations Plant Manager:
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or equivalent.
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) – preferred.
- Training in automotive quality standards – desirable.
- Experience in automotive or electronics manufacturing.
- Proven track record in Tier 1 automotive supply chain.
- Experience managing a production facility or significant production area.
- Understanding of launch processes for new automotive electronics (ECU’s sensors etc).
- Demonstrated success in applying lean tools with measurable results.
- Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to work closely with teams, understand operational constraints, and take decisive actions to overcome them while building a cohesive, high‑performing Team.
Why you should choose ZF in Birmingham:
- Compensation up to £60k, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Hours of work will normally be 37 per week.
- Pension.
- Medicash.
- Bonus.
What does DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) mean for ZF as a company? At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.
Operations Plant Manager in Birmingham employer: ZF Group
Contact Detail:
ZF Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Plant Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and experience in operations management, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team at ZF Automotive.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Plant Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Plant Manager role. Highlight your experience in production leadership, lean manufacturing, and any relevant certifications like Lean Six Sigma. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our team's goals. Don't forget to mention your commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and improve processes. Use metrics where possible to show how you've made a difference in previous roles – we love numbers!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at ZF!
How to prepare for a job interview at ZF Group
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of operations management, especially in automotive and electronics manufacturing. Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators like OEE and scrap rates, as well as lean methodologies like Kaizen and Six Sigma. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can lead day-to-day operations effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think of examples where you've coached or mentored team members, fostered a culture of safety and accountability, and driven continuous improvement. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and develop a high-performing team.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to IATF 16949 compliance, quality engineering, and supply chain management. Brush up on your knowledge of automotive quality standards and be ready to discuss how you've handled audits or resolved quality issues using tools like PFMEA and 8D. This will show that you're not just a leader but also technically savvy.
✨Engage with Customer Focus
Since customer satisfaction is key, think of ways you've ensured high levels of quality and delivery in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've engaged with customers or stakeholders to meet their needs, particularly in new product introductions. This will highlight your commitment to operational excellence and customer engagement.