Production Manager

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 25 March 2026
LOCATION
Earls Colne, Essex, UK
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Manufacturing
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

PCB manufacturing Lean manufacturing Production management Process management Performance management Root cause analysis Quality management Inventory management

FULL DESCRIPTION

Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for leading, directing, and optimising all production activities within the manufacturing facility including Stores to ensure the safe, efficient, and high‑quality manufacture to customer and internationally recognised quality standards. This role requires a technically competent manufacturing leader with a strong grounding in Lean manufacturing principles, capable of driving operational excellence while meeting customers’, quality, and delivery commitments. The role reports directly to the Site and Operations Director.

Your Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead day‑to‑day Production and Stores operations across relevant processes, including:
  • Working closely with Planning, Procurement, Engineering and Quality to deliver on site objectives that achieve safety, quality, customer On Time in Full (OTIF) and cost targets.
  • Ensure adherence to documented manufacturing processes, work instructions, and control plans.
  • Work with the Stores Supervisor to ensure inventory management and stores processes are followed.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

  • Apply Lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste, improve flow, reduce cycle times, increase throughput, and improve first past yield rates.
  • Lead and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives including Kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, and visual management.
  • Use data‑driven performance management, including KPIs, OEE, and root cause analysis, to drive sustained improvement.

People Leadership & Capability Development

  • Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, team leaders, and operators, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous professional development.
  • Ensure training plans are in place to maintain operator competence and compliance with process and quality requirements.
  • Promote a positive safety and quality culture, ensuring Production and Stores teams work in accordance with quality, health, safety, and environmental regulations.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high professional standards.

Quality & Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC) standards, customer specifications, and internal quality management systems.
  • Work closely with QHSE supporting corrective and preventive actions arising from audits, customer feedback, and non‑conformances.
  • Maintain robust process controls to achieve right‑first‑time performance.

Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Procurement and Customer Services to align production output with demand.
  • Support the Engineering team with Engineering Change Control process activities.
  • Identify capacity constraints and contribute to medium and longer‑term manufacturing strategies.

Position Requirements:

  • Proven experience in a production management or senior supervisory role within PCB manufacturing, electronics, or a similarly regulated manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrated understanding of controlled manufacturing environments and structured process management.
  • Strong working knowledge of PCB manufacturing processes or equivalent precision manufacturing environments
  • Strong capability in performance management, problem‑solving, and structured root cause analysis.
  • Formal training and practical application of Lean manufacturing methodologies (e.g. Lean Manufacturing Certificate to at least Yellow Belt.
  • Effective communicator, able to engage shop‑floor teams and senior stakeholders.
  • Confident decision maker with the ability to balance quality, delivery, cost, and safety priorities.
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development in operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional qualification in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline to at least HNC level.
  • Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher) certification.
  • Leadership or management qualification or equivalent, (i.e. military experience to at least SNCO/WO level).
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