Head of Manufacturing

Purpose of this position 

The head of Manufacturing will provide strategic and operational leadership across the entire manufacturing function to ensure optimal efficiency, cost 
control, productivity, and people development. The role will oversee the continuous improvement of production processes, reduce waste, manage 
costs, and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness). A key focus of the role is fostering a culture of Lean 
manufacturing and operational excellence, while driving leadership development and value stream management to support the company’s growth and profitability goals.

Key responsibilities  

• Lead the manufacturing function, driving operational excellence and efficiency across all production lines
• Manage and develop production teams, ensuring skills and leadership capabilities are continually enhanced
• Oversee and improve OEE, ensuring consistent tracking and actions to improve production performance
• Implement and sustain Lean manufacturing techniques, such as 5S, Kanban, Kaizen, and value stream mapping
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and instill a culture of innovation and waste reduction
• Develop and execute strategies for cost control, ensuring production activities align with budgetary goals
• Identify opportunities for waste reduction, focusing on material usage, labour, and process efficiencies
• Establish, monitor, and manage KPIs to drive performance, with a focus on cost, delivery, quality, safety, and waste reduction
• Develop and implement leadership programs to promote succession planning and talent development
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and compliance, to ensure alignment with broader business goals
• Support the introduction and integration of automation technologies and SCADA systems to improve production efficiency and cost management
• Maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring adherence to health and safety regulations and practices
• Drive the performance review process and continuous development of manufacturing staff to promote accountability and high performance
• Collaborate with the Continuous Improvement (OPEX) Manager to identify and execute process optimization and cost-reduction projects
• Proactively manage operational risks, ensuring business continuity while maintaining compliance with industry regulations and standards
• Leverage data analytics and digital tools to drive informed decision making to continuously improve manufacturing performance
• Champion initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes, focusing on energy efficiency, waste minimisation and adherence to environmental regulations 
   

Qualifications

You will have a combination of academic qualifications and relevant experience. Preferably, you will have:
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing management with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven experience with Lean manufacturing principles and methodologies
• Demonstrated expertise in managing KPIs, particularly OEE and cost related metrics
• Strong experience in cost management, including budgeting, forecasting and cost-reduction initiatives
• Proven track record in waste reduction through process improvement
• Experience in leading continuous improvement programs
• Familiarity with automated production systems, including SCADA
• Strong understanding of health and safety regulations in a manufacturing environment
• Qualifications or certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or equivalent are highly desirable 

Job Function Technical Knowledge and Skills  

• Deep understanding of Lean manufacturing techniques and their practical application (5S, Kanban, Kaizen, workplace organisation, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing metrics, particularly OEE, cost management and waste reduction, with the ability to interpret and improve KPI performance
• Expertise in value stream management, focusing on process efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement
• Proven ability to implement and sustain continuous improvement initiatives, driving operational excellence
• Proficiency in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, production planning systems and SCADA
• Strong capability in production planning, resource allocation, and cost control to optimise efficiency
• Experience in leadership development, including creating and managing succession plans, mentoring high-potential employees and promoting a culture of continuous professional development
• Expertise in people management and skills development, focusing on building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements and best practices in manufacturing, with a proven track record of maintaining a strong safety culture
• Ability to lead and manage continuous improvement projects to improve production efficiency and align with strategic goals

Personal Attributes  

•  Strategic thinker with a strong operational focus
• Proven leadership ability, capable of developing high-performing teams and leaders
• Excellent communication skills, able to influence and collaborate across multiple departments
• Results-driven and metrics-focused, with a passion for driving continuous improvement and cost management
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve issues quickly and effectively
• Highly organised, with strong project management capabilities
• Resilient and adaptable, able to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment