Cell Leader

Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd; Denham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9% pension contribution

Life Assurance

Lunchtime finish on a Friday

Personalised training and development

25 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd is seeking a Site Cell Leader at our Denham facility to lead a high‑performing assembly team responsible for complex sub‑assemblies in aerospace manufacturing.

You will own team performance, set clear expectations, coach individuals, and use data to drive improvements while maintaining strict quality and safety standards. The role is site-based at Denham.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of complex assembly operations.
• Effective communicator who can influence and motivate across levels.
• Experience using data and KPIs to monitor and improve performance.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment and drive issues to resolution.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise, and allocate work to meet production targets.
• Lead, manage, and develop a team of assembly specialists to deliver KPIs.
• Drive high standards of performance, behaviour, and accountability.
• Manage resources including people, skills, tools and equipment.
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety standards.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities and maintain SOP adherence.

Skills

People leadership

Manufacturing knowledge

Data-driven decision making

Effective communication

Tools

Torque tools

Measurement devices

Gauges

Job description

The Cell Leader will support the Assembly team at our Denham site (near Uxbridge), leading a large group of colleagues responsible for manufacturing complex mechanical and electro-mechanical components.

In this role, you will play a key part in delivering the ejection seat systems that Martin-Baker is world-renowned for.

Direct Impact, Global Scale. Life-Saving Mission.

At Martin-Baker, the work we do matters. We design, manufacture and support life-saving equipment used by aircrew around the world. Our products operate in demanding environments, where quality, reliability and attention to detail are critical.

We’re proud of our long history in aerospace and defence, also focused on the future. Joining Martin-Baker means becoming part of a business with a clear purpose, strong engineering capability and a long-term commitment to its people, products and customers.

Whether you work in engineering, operations, commercial, finance, supply chain or support functions, your contribution helps deliver equipment that protects lives. It is challenging work, but it is also meaningful, and with over 7800 lives saved, it gives our people the opportunity to be part of something with real impact.

The Opportunity

This is a leadership role for someone who thrives on accountability, pace, and performance.

You will lead a high-performing team of assembly specialists responsible for a wide range of complex sub-assembly components. Your focus will be on delivering consistent output against production targets, while continuing to build on the team’s recent success in improving efficiency and KPI performance.

You will:

• Take full ownership of team performance and output.
• Set clear expectations and drive accountability.
• Coach and develop individuals to maximise capability and engagement.
• Use data to track performance, identify issues, and drive improvement.

This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who combines strong manufacturing knowledge with the ability to motivate teams and deliver results.

This is a site-based role at our Denham location.

What You’ll Do

• Plan, prioritise, and allocate work in line with production requirements.
• Lead, manage, and develop a team of assembly specialists to deliver against KPIs.
• Drive high standards of performance, behaviour, and accountability.
• Manage resources effectively, including people, skills, tools, and equipment.
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety standards.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Maintain adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment such as fitters, machinists, operators.
• Strong understanding of complex assembly operations.
• A confident and effective communicator who can influence, engage, and motivate teams at all levels.
• Experience using data and KPIs to monitor and improve performance.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment, balancing priorities and making decisions under pressure.
• Practical understanding of assembly tools and equipment (e.g. torque tools, gauges, measurement and test equipment).
• A proactive, accountable mindset with the confidence to escal and resolve issues early.
• Share and demonstrate the Martin-Baker values.

Our Values

At Martin-Baker, we value professionalism, understanding, teamwork, humility, accountability and integrity. We look for people who take pride in their work, collaborate openly and act with care because the work we do matters.

What We Offer

• Highly competitive pension scheme, with additional company contributions. Martin-Baker will contribute 9% of your salary with further incremental payments the more you contribute
• Life Assurance
• Lunchtime finish on a Friday
• Personalised training and development plan
• 25-days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Occupational Health team
• Cycle to work scheme

We believe in equal opportunity, committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is respected. We want you to be able to do your best work.

Martin-Baker is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, showing our support and commitment to our Armed Forces and their families, proudly supporting those who serve.

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). For more information and guidance please visit https://martin-baker.com/security-vetting.