Technical Manufacturing Operations Manager

Technical Manufacturing Operations Manager

Location: Mid Kent
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 dependent on experience + progression
Type: Permanent, full-time 5 days on site

Contact: Emily-Karabelo Powell, Associate Director, Pearson Whiffin Recruitment

We are working with a specialist UK manufacturing business that forms part of a wider European engineering group. The UK operation designs and manufactures fabricated sheet metal and engineered metal systems
, supplying project-led solutions into a technically demanding commercial market. The site operates with a high degree of autonomy, supported by a collaborative international HQ.

This role would suit a technically strong Operations Manager or Engineering Manager with a background in fabrication, sheet metal or engineered metal products
, who enjoys being hands-on and improving how things are designed, made and delivered.

The Role

This is a senior, practical role with end-to-end responsibility for the UK manufacturing operation
. While there is line management responsibility for a small team, the emphasis is firmly on technical leadership, operational efficiency and commercial performance
.

You will be someone who is not afraid to roll your sleeves up
, spend time on the shop floor, challenge existing processes and bring new ideas forward. In many respects, this role operates as a UK General Manager style position
, with responsibility for operational performance, cost and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve UK manufacturing operations across fabrication, assembly and dispatch
• Lead by example through a hands-on approach
  , supporting the team where needed
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, productivity and cost control
• Analyse workflows, layouts, planning and material flow to reduce waste and improve throughput
• Work closely with design and engineering activity to ensure design-for-manufacture principles are applied
• Use Solid Works or similar CAD to review, challenge and support designs where appropriate
• Work collaboratively with the commercial team to ensure operational decisions support margin, pricing and delivery commitments
• Identify opportunities to bring work in-house, reduce supplier reliance and improve cost efficiency
• Improve planning accuracy, delivery performance and operational reporting
• Act as the key interface between the UK operation and European HQ
• Maintain quality standards and support ISO-aligned systems

People Management

This is a small, stable team with no major people issues.
The role is about:

• Setting standards and direction
• Supporting and developing the team
• Leading by example rather than heavy people management

About You

This role will suit someone who:

• Is qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Has experience in fabricated sheet metal, architectural metal, airflow systems or engineered metal products
• Has professional experience using Solid Works (or similar 3D CAD)
• Is comfortable being hands-on and visible within a manufacturing environment
• Enjoys problem-solving, improving processes and coming up with practical ideas
• Is commercially aware and understands how operational decisions impact cost and margin
• Is looking for a long-term role with ownership and stability

Candidates from SMEs or specialist manufacturers will be particularly well suited.

Why Apply?

• Senior, long-term role with genuine ownership of the UK operation
• Strong technical and continuous improvement focus
• Opportunity to lead from the front and make a visible impact
• Close collaboration with commercial and international teams
• Stable, well-backed business with a clear future
• Rapid interview process with clear feedback