Assembly Manager

Ford & Stanley Recruitment; Newport; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Assembly Manager to lead operations in Newport, England. This full-time role involves managing multiple projects and teams, ensuring quality and safety standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate has strong leadership abilities and proven experience in operations management within a manufacturing environment. Candidates will join a supportive organization focused on operational excellence, with competitive pay up to £60k.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations management within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Ability to manage complex projects and operational structures.
• Demonstrated ability to embed culture and discipline in operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage operations across multiple projects.
• Ensure safety, quality, cost, and delivery standards are met.
• Oversee Team Managers and operational staff.
• Implement structured 5S methodology and other Lean initiatives.
• Take ownership of operational performance and delivery outcomes.

Skills

Operations management experience

Strong leadership skills

Knowledge of Lean principles

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Assembly Manager | up to £60k | Full Time | Location: Newport | Monday-Friday 7:00-16:00

The Opportunity

Our Customer is undergoing a major organisational change to prepare for a significant pipeline of projects. To support this growth and improve operational discipline, they have created a new Assembly Manager role. This position will play a critical part in strengthening delivery capability, embedding operational culture, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage operations across multiple projects
• Ensure safety, quality, cost, and delivery standards are met.

Project Integration

• Act as Operations representative within project teams.
• Collaborate with Project Delivery Managers and other stakeholders to align operational activities.

Team Management

• Oversee Team Managers and operational staff (approx. 148 people, including operators, team leaders, logistics, planners).
• Strengthen the operations pool and manage external contractors.

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Implement structured 5S methodology and other Lean initiatives.
• Drive cultural change and embed operational discipline.

Resource Planning

• Allocate resources effectively across projects and workshops.
• Support ramp‑up for major projects through structured planning.

Accountability

• Take ownership of operational performance and delivery outcomes.
• Report functionally to the Operations Director.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in operations management within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing large teams and multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Lean principles.
• Ability to manage complex projects and operational structures.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to embed culture and discipline in operations.

Non‑Essential (Desirable) Requirements

• Experience in heavy industry manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Continuous Improvement frameworks beyond 5S.
• Exposure to large‑scale, long‑term projects (multi‑year delivery).
• Understanding of resource planning for ramp‑up scenarios.
• Previous experience working in a multi‑project environment.

Close date: 19/12/2025

About Ford & Stanley group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to the boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on‑going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are that of an employment consultancy business.