Head of Production

SES Manufacturing is seeking an exceptional Head of Production to lead manufacturing operations across two Midlands-based production facilities.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and forming a key part of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will be accountable for manufacturing performance, operational excellence, production planning, continuous improvement, digital transformation, capital investment and the development of high-performing operational teams.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing leader who thrives on transformation, enjoys building capability through others, and has a proven track record of driving operational performance within complex engineering and regulated manufacturing environments.

As Head of Production, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across both manufacturing sites, ensuring the safe, efficient and profitable delivery of customer requirements while supporting the company's ambitious growth strategy.

You will lead through Factory Managers and their leadership teams, establishing world-class manufacturing standards, embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and delivering measurable improvements across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People performance.

The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with strong shop-floor credibility, capable of leading transformational change while remaining closely connected to day-to-day operational performance.

• Lead all manufacturing operations across two Midlands facilities.
• Manage, coach and develop Factory Managers and their leadership teams.
• Build organisational capability, succession plans and leadership strength throughout the production function.
• Create a culture of ownership, accountability, safety and operational excellence.

• Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Lead the deployment and continual evolution of the company's Production System.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement activities across all operations.
• Establish robust digitally-enabled KPI frameworks covering Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People, Productivity.
• Drive sustainable improvements in productivity, throughput, customer service and profitability.

• Lead integrated production and operational planning processes.
• Ensure effective capacity planning, labour planning and resource utilisation.
• Align manufacturing operations with customer demand and business growth requirements.
• Improve planning accuracy, schedule adherence and operational execution.

• Lead large-scale manufacturing transformation programmes.
• Champion digital manufacturing initiatives, automation and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Improve operational visibility through data, systems integration and performance analytics.
• Establish scalable manufacturing processes capable of supporting future growth.

• Develop and manage strategic CAPEX investment plans.
• Build robust business cases for equipment, facility and automation investments.
• Lead major investment projects from concept through implementation and benefit realisation.
• Ensure investments deliver tangible improvements in safety, quality, productivity and capacity.

• • Embed Lean thinking and problem-solving methodologies throughout the business.
  • Lead value-stream improvement initiatives and waste elimination programmes.
  • Drive measurable improvements in operational performance and manufacturing cost competitiveness.
  • Create a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of daily operations.

• Minimum 15 years' manufacturing leadership experience within complex engineering or industrial environments.
• Significant experience leading multi-site manufacturing operations
  .
• Proven deployment of a structured Production System across multiple facilities.
• Deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing
  , Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement.
• Demonstrable success leading large-scale manufacturing transformation programmes.
• Significant experience implementing digital manufacturing and automation solutions.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic planning capability.
• Experience leading through Factory Managers and senior operational leadership teams.
• Strong commercial, financial and strategic planning…