Manufacturing Manager

Manufacturing Manager

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Exactaform Cutting Tools provided pay range

This range is provided by Exactaform Cutting Tools. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Reporting to the Operations Director you will be responsible for 5 team leaders and 40 direct reports. You will bring a wealth of manufacturing experience in the engineering sector, with a preference for cutting‑tools expertise.

To lead and optimise all manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production that meets customer demand and company growth targets. The role is responsible for delivering high performance across people, processes, and equipment, driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and consistent product quality. Additionally, the Manufacturing Manager plays a key role in developing a high‑performing team, improving manufacturing capability, and supporting strategic initiatives that enable sustainable business growth.

The role champions continuous improvement and lean practices to enhance throughput and reduce operational waste. It ensures robust communication and alignment between production, engineering, planning, and quality teams. Furthermore, the Manufacturing Manager provides strong leadership that reinforces a culture of accountability, safety, and problem‑solving across the manufacturing organisation.

• Manufacturing Leadership & Strategy
• Lead day‑to‑day manufacturing operations to ensure efficient, and reliable production that meets customer demand and company targets.
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that enhance capability, capacity, and operational performance.
• Contribute to long‑term business planning, providing insight on production capability, resource requirements, and operational risks.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and Lean methodologies to increase throughput, reduce waste, and optimise flow.
• Ensure production processes are standardised, controlled, and continuously improved for quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics including OEE, throughput, machine uptime, labour efficiency, and scrap levels.
• Lead, motivate, and develop production teams to achieve high levels of performance, engagement, and accountability.
• Ensure effective communication cascades, clarity of expectations, and strong performance management.
• Build succession, strengthen skills capability, and promote a culture of ownership and problem‑solving.
• Ensure all manufacturing activities are carried out safely and in full compliance with regulations, policies, and best practice.
• Maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring effective training, risk assessments, and corrective actions.
• Work closely with Quality and Engineering to ensure products are manufactured to specification and customer expectations.
• Partner with Planning to deliver accurate and achievable production schedules and maintain stable workflow.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Process teams to resolve issues, improve processes, and implement new technologies.
• Work with Supply Chain and Stores/Logistics to ensure materials, tooling, and resources are available to support continuous production.
• Track and report key manufacturing KPIs, analysing performance trends and implementing action plans to close gaps.
• Ensure accurate labour, downtime, and production reporting to support financial accuracy and operational decision‑making.
• Drive accountability across the manufacturing area through structured routines, daily management processes, and problem‑solving tools.
• Ensure equipment is properly maintained through TPM practices, supporting high uptime and long‑term asset reliability.
• Identify Capex needs, support business cases, and lead successful implementation of equipment upgrades or new technologies.
• Ensure workforce planning, staffing levels, and shift patterns align with customer demand and business needs.

• Operational Excellence:
  Manufacturing OTIF > 92%
• Throughput & Schedule Adherence ≥ 95% planned schedule adherence
• Scrap, Rework & Waste Levels documented and updated quarterly
• Value Generated Per Person (VGPP) 5% YOY
• Labour Efficiency & Productivity 3% improvement year on year
• Cost Saving Projects 1% of Manf T/O
• Team leader training 40 hours of recorded training per quarter
• All Shopfloor 121 monthly training cards updated 100%

• Mid‑Senior level

• Full‑time

• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

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Location:

Coventry, England, United Kingdom