Head Of Manufacturing

Company: J3A Recruitment
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Job Description:

HEAD OF MANUFACTURING

North West

£70,000 – £80,000 + Performance Bonus

Right then… this isn’t a role for someone who likes managing manufacturing from the comfort of an Excel spreadsheet

I’m working with an established manufacturer looking for a proper manufacturing leader to take ownership of a busy operation — leading the people, improving the processes and making sure everything runs safely, efficiently and, ideally, without the place descending into chaos by Tuesday lunchtime.

This is a senior role with genuine influence across the operation and plenty of opportunity to make your mark.

What you’ll be getting stuck into

  • Leading and developing a sizeable manufacturing team
  • Improving productivity, output and operational performance
  • Keeping Health & Safety firmly at the top of the agenda
  • Managing budgets, costs and efficiencies
  • Driving Lean / Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement
  • Delivering process and equipment improvements
  • Managing performance across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery & People
  • Working closely with other senior functions across the business
  • Building an engaged, accountable and high-performing culture

What we’re looking for

You’ll already have a strong track record within manufacturing leadership and be comfortable taking ownership of a fast-moving operation.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

  • Senior Production / Manufacturing / Operations leadership experience
  • Strong Lean, Six Sigma or CI knowledge
  • Experience managing budgets, productivity and operational KPIs
  • A strong approach to H&S
  • Experience developing teams and managing performance
  • Confidence working at senior leadership level
  • A manufacturing or engineering-led background

Sector isn’t everything here — good manufacturing leadership is good manufacturing leadership.

The important bit…

They don’t need someone sitting in an office creating a 47-slide presentation about why productivity needs improving.

They need someone who’ll get into the operation, understand what’s happening, challenge what isn’t working and actually do something about it.

If you’re the type who walks around a factory and can’t help thinking “there’s definitely a better way of doing that…” then we should probably talk.

No nonsense. No telling you it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” And absolutely no asking what animal you’d be in an interview.

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Posted: September 27th, 2026