Production Manager

Job Description Production/ Operations ManagerYoure a confident production leader looking for a senior, hands-on role where you can take charge of day-to-day output, strengthen delivery performance, and develop a skilled CNC team within a growing precision engineering business. Youll be at your best in a regulated aerospace/defence environmentwhere quality, traceability and right-first-time standards are essentialand youll bring the commercial focus needed to control productivity and overtime.Role overview:This role leads all production operations across a varied manufacturing mix, including volume own-product manufacture, high-specification subcontract work and new product introduction (NPI) handover into production. Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality, youll ensure operational stability, maintain compliance standards and support scalable growth.Key responsibilities:Lead daily production activities, ensuring stable output and consistent delivery performanceAchieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) results across all workstreamsManage capacity planning with the Planner, balancing resource, machine time and demandControl overtime effectively, aligning decisions with delivery needs and margin protectionDeliver structured NPI handover from Technical into operationsIdentify constraints and implement corrective actions to remove bottlenecksMaintain aerospace/defence compliance (AS9100 or equivalent), including traceability, configuration control and FAIR disciplineSupport internal and external audits and champion a zero-compromise quality cultureDevelop, coach and retain the shopfloor team through clear standards, 1:1s and performance reviewsDrive improvements in labour efficiency, utilisation, scrap/rework and KPI performance using operational dataExperience & requirements:5+ years experience leading production teams in precision engineeringBackground in aerospace and/or defence manufacturing environmentsStrong knowledge of regulated quality systems (AS9100 or equivalent)Technical credibility in CNC milling/turning and high-spec component manufactureConfident with ERP/MRP systems and Excel-based reportingProven track record improving productivity and controlling overtime spendPersonal attributes:Calm, balanced decision-maker; fair but firm leadership styleStructured, organised and commercially awareStrong cross-functional communicator; able to scale operations as the business growsThis is a permanent job. You must have current UK right to work to be considered. HRGO are a recruitment agency supporting UK Manufacturing. We aim to respond to all applications.

Created: 2026-04-20