Head of Production - Manufacturing

The Opportunity

This is a business-critical Production Management role running the day-to-day production within a growing, manufacturing operation, offering full ownership of end-to-end production

As Head of Production, you will lead the performance and efficiency of manufacturing across all manufacturing processes in a vertically integrated organisation While This role is primarily day-to-day production management, you will also play a key role in driving operational excellence, scaling capacity, and supporting the company’s growth ambitions.

You will be a senior member of the Operations team, with significant influence over performance, culture, and continuous improvement across the operation.

Scope & Scale

• Manufacturing responsibility
• Leadership of Production Managers, Supervisors, and large shift-based teams
• Ownership of production budgets including labour, materials, and efficiency
• End-to-end production accountability

Key Responsibilities

• Operational & Strategic Leadership
• Lead all manufacturing operations to achieve output, cost, quality, and service targets
• Drive capacity optimisation, labour planning, and operational efficiency across sites
• Ensure manufacturing processes are robust, scalable, and fit for growth

Health, Safety & Quality

• Build and maintain a high-performing safety-first culture
• Ensure full compliance with HSE legislation, internal policies, and industry standards
• Drive improvements in right-first-time, defect reduction, and customer quality outcomes

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Be part of the Lean manufacturing and CI team to improve operational efficiencies.
• Improve key metrics such as OEE, yield, and right-first-time performance

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing production leadership team
• Build capability, accountability, and engagement across the workforce
• Foster a strong, inclusive, performance-driven culture aligned to business values
• Work effectively within a unionised environment

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Engineering, Maintenance, and Logistics to ensure end-to-end operational delivery

Performance & Governance

• Own and report on key KPIs including output, efficiency, cost, scrap, safety, and labour performance
• Ensure strong governance, reporting accuracy, and operational discipline

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a proven senior manufacturing leader who can combine hands-on operational expertise with strategic thinking.

Experience

• Significant leadership experience within manufacturing or production environments
• Track record of managing large, shift-based operations
• Demonstrated success in driving operational improvement and cultural change
• Experience within unionised environments is highly desirable

Technical Capability

• Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, and labour optimisation
• Experience using KPIs, ERP/MRP systems, and performance reporting tools
• Background in building products, windows/doors, or similar manufacturing advantageous

Leadership Profile

• Visible, credible leader with the ability to operate mainly at day to day at operational levels and supporting strategic developments as required.
• Results-driven, with a focus on performance, accountability, and continuous improvement

Why This Role?

• Full operational ownership across a complex manufacturing environment
• High-impact role with strong visibility and influence within the business
• Clear pathway for progression into broader operational leadership roles
• Package
• Competitive base salary
• Performance-related bonus
• Car allowance
• Additional benefits package

Location & Flexibility

• Site-based role
• Flexibility required to support operational demands and shift-based environments

Our Company is committed to monitoring & aligning its Policies with up-to-date Government guidance on reducing the spread of respiratory infections in the workplace. Through the Company’s value of “Succeed Together” we are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We recruit the ‘best person for the job’ regardless of any protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010 creating an inclusive working environment and culture for our employees.