Equipment Centre & Manufacturing Manager

The Equipment Centre & Manufacturing Manager is responsible for leading the day‑to‑day operations of the Kendal Equipment Centre, including asset management, equipment maintenance, SILK and compound manufacturing, equipment refurbishment, and logistics. This role ensures equipment availability, safety compliance, operational efficiency, and high‑quality output to support internal and external customer requirements. The postholder drives continuous improvement, leads a skilled technical team, and ensures that manufacturing and equipment processes operate to cost, quality, and delivery targets.

• Oversee all operations within the Kendal Equipment Centre, including manufacturing, assembly, repair, testing, and dispatch.
• Develop and implement efficient processes to maximise productivity, reduce downtime, and improve equipment availability.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, H&S regulations, and company policies.
• Maintain accurate equipment inventories and manage the full lifecycle of assets.

• Provide operational input to product-related activities to ensure alignment with manufacturing and Equipment Centre capabilities.
• Support effective execution of product initiatives within operational teams.
• Liaise with Sales and other relevant stakeholders on customer queries, specifications, and requirements to ensure operational feasibility and timely resolution.

• Manage production schedules, ensuring on‑time delivery and prioritisation of business needs.
• Oversee equipment refurbishment and manufacturing processes.
• Ensure consistent quality control through inspections, audits, and performance monitoring.
• Lead resolution of technical issues and support engineering improvements.

• Lead, develop, and motivate a multi‑disciplinary technical team.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all training requirements are met.
• Manage department budgets including labour, equipment, and consumables.
• Optimise resource utilisation to deliver cost‑effective operations.
• Support capital expenditure planning for upgrades and new technologies
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and safety across operations and product related processes.
• Lead corrective actions and follow‑up on non‑conformance issues.

• Act as a liaison between business leadership, direct reports, and other internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and coordination.
• Provide clear, timely reporting on operational performance, risks, and improvement initiatives.
• Provide regular performance updates to senior leadership

• Experience managing within manufacturing, workshop, or technical environments.
• Experience in managing teams, budgets and operational performance.
• Operational knowledge of Equipment Centre and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of product management or service delivery in a technical/engineering context. Strong people leadership and coaching skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing operational and product responsibilities.
• Stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational, planning, and problem‑solving abilities.

• High equipment availability and reliability
• Achievement of production and delivery targets
• Improved efficiency and reduced operating costs
• Strong safety performance and compliance