Activity Manager

Thales; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Growth

Flexible Working

Wellbeing Focus

Job summary

Thales seeks an experienced Activity Manager in Glasgow to lead and inspire a high-performing manufacturing cell. You will champion health and safety, ensure compliance with Thales standards, and drive continuous improvement in production.

The ideal candidate has a strong leadership background in manufacturing and is passionate about team development and Lean principles. Thales offers career growth, training opportunities, and a focus on employee wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong understanding of HSE, quality standards, and operational KPIs.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence.

Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring the wellbeing of all team members.
• Ensure all processes comply with Thales standards and procedures.
• Plan and deliver work schedules aligned to the Master Production Schedule.

Skills

Leadership in manufacturing

HSE standards understanding

Lean manufacturing

Communication skills

Job description

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Shape the Future of Manufacturing Excellence

At Thales, we innovate with purpose. We are looking for an experienced and driven Activity Manager to lead a high‑performing manufacturing cell in Glasgow. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering world‑class solutions while inspiring and developing a talented team.

What You’ll Be Doing

Health, Safety & Environment

• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring the wellbeing of all team members.
• Lead all HSE activities including risk assessments, PPE compliance, training, and health surveillance.
• Encourage proactive hazard identification and reporting across the team.

Quality

• Ensure all processes comply with Thales standards and procedures (Chorus).
• Take ownership of quality control within your area.
• Work collaboratively in cross‑functional teams to drive continuous improvement.

Production & Performance

• Plan and deliver work schedules aligned to the Master Production Schedule and customer requirements.
• Monitor and report on daily performance, ensuring team engagement with KPIs.
• Promote and embed Lean principles and a culture of continuous improvement (CI).
• Escalate and resolve production issues, implementing corrective actions where needed.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, motivate, and develop your team to achieve excellence.
• Support training, cross‑skilling, and workforce planning to maximise flexibility.
• Manage day‑to‑day people matters including performance, absence, and shift planning.
• Drive an inclusive culture aligned to Thales’ Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) values.
• Support recruitment and onboarding to meet operational needs.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong understanding of HSE, quality standards, and operational KPIs
• Passion for continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, and team development
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence
• A proactive, solution‑focused mindset

What We Can Offer You

• Career Growth: Access to world‑class training, mentoring, and global career opportunities
• Development: Learn from industry‑leading experts and cutting‑edge projects
• Internal Mobility: We prioritise promoting from within our global organisation
• Flexible Working: Options including flexible start/finish times – 4 day week
• Wellbeing Focus: Supporting your health, lifestyle, and ambitions

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.