Production Manager

Role: Production Manager
Location: Deeside
Job Type: Permanent
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000

The Production Manager is accountable for leading a high‑performing Aerospace and Defence manufacturing hydraulics operation, while delivering safe, compliant and efficient Assembly, Test, Development and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.

• Utilize experience or expertise to solve problems, develop and execute objectives for self and others, and effect short‑term and some long‑term business goals while exceeding daily targets for the Assembly and Testing of customer products.
• Provide department leadership in the attainment of goals with focus on daily SQCDP tiered reviews, KPI targets and ownership, and implement recovery plans to ensure customer satisfaction is exceeded.
• Make data‑driven decisions balancing SQCDP to achieve business and customer requirements.
• Coach, support and provide direction to direct and indirect team members, developing supervisors and teams through coaching, performance management, succession planning, skills matrices, apprenticeships and employee engagement.
• Foster a proactive safety culture through visible leadership, behavioural safety, risk assessments, incident investigation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and other ISO requirements where applicable (e.g., ISO
  14001, ISO
  45001), customer, regulatory and contractual requirements; maintain product conformity, configuration control and full manufacturing traceability.
• Direct process and product improvement programs and provide process method excellence throughout the organization; drive operational excellence using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S/6S, Standard Work, waste elimination and structured Root Cause Corrective Action (8D/RCCA).
• Lead the team to achieve goals in asset utilisation, process/manufacturing improvement, inventory controls, achieve quality standards and deliver cost reductions.
• Lead production planning, capacity management, labour planning, inventory optimisation and schedule adherence to meet customer demand.
• Ensure communication of key business and customer issues to employees and maintain an open‑door policy.
• Own departmental performance, including OEE, First Pass Yield, On‑Time Delivery, productivity, quality, labour efficiency, inventory and cost performance.
• Maintain awareness of import/export controls and trade compliance requirements, ensuring manufacturing activities support applicable export control, customs and defence compliance obligations.
• Support the interface with internal and external organisations and vendors to ensure requirements are met on time to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Programme Management and Logistics to support NPI, industrialisation and delivery recovery.

• Minimum five years of manufacturing leadership experience within aerospace, defence or another highly regulated industry.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with demonstrable teamwork and collaboration; excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, Lean Manufacturing, Root Cause Analysis and production planning.
• Willingness to work outside of comfort zones, ask questions and develop yourself (with support).
• Proven functional experience in the manufacture (assembly and test) of hydro‑mechanical and electronic products and appropriate manufacturing tools and equipment.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as Syteline or SAP.