Production Manager – Nights

Job Details

• Location: Preston
• Work Type: On-site
• Job Type: Permanent
• Salary: Market related
• Shift: Monday to Thursday 9:15pm-6:30am (37 hours/week)
• Contact: Dan Plimmer - [contact hidden] | [contact hidden]
• Job Ref: 71210

About the Role

Following an operational restructure, the business is creating several new opportunities for an experienced Production Manager who thrives on leading change. The role is on a nights shift pattern (Monday to Thursday 9:15pm to 6:30am, 37 hours per week). There is also flexible working which can be explained on application.

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will be a driving force behind performance, engagement and continuous improvement. You will take full ownership of your production area, acting as a role model for World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Six Sigma discipline and Kaizen thinking, embedding these principles into everyday behaviours, decision-making and leadership routines.

This is not a role for maintaining the status quo. It's for someone who enjoys challenging how things are done, building belief in better ways of working, and developing teams that take pride in improvement. You will support the Value Stream Senior Manager and act as their deputy when required.

What You'll Be Accountable For

• Health, Safety & Environment: Create a visible, values-led safety culture; proactively identify HSE risks; champion environmentally responsible manufacturing.
• Quality & Right-First-Time Mindset: Embed quality ownership; lead robust Root Cause Analysis using Six Sigma and WCM; drive audit readiness and ISO9001 compliance.
• Operational & Cultural Leadership: Build high-performing teams; deliver OTIF performance; develop capability through skills matrices and training; create a strong 'One Team' culture.
• Performance, Cost & Continuous Improvement: Use data and visual management; lead structured CI using WCM pillars, Kaizen events, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kanban; build business cases and manage budgets.
• Process, Asset & Change Governance: Ensure manufacturing processes robust and improved; drive asset reliability; lead projects with clear governance (RAID).
• People Leadership: Own the full employee lifecycle; set objectives; conduct performance reviews; act as change leader.

About You

Essential

• Degree, HND, NVQ Level 5 or equivalent in manufacturing, engineering or related discipline.
• Proven experience leading cultural change in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Lean, WCM, Six Sigma problem-solving and Kaizen deployment.
• Confident people leader with ability to coach, challenge and inspire.
• Track record of delivering KPIs through engagement, standardisation and continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of H&S, ISO9001 and quality systems.
• Financial awareness including budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Able to interpret engineering drawings, PFMEAs and control plans.

Desirable

• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent CI qualification.
• Experience with SAP or M3.
• IOSH Managing Safely.
• Project Management qualification.

This is an excellent role where you will be Person in Charge during the Night Shift, installing operational and leadership change with a dedicated, skilled workforce.

Your CV will be forwarded to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] are those of an Employment Agency. In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.