Composite Manager

SY Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Composites Manager to oversee the Composites and Paint departments in Southampton. The role includes managing site operations and ensuring high standards in production flow, safety, and quality. Ideal candidates should have extensive knowledge of small craft construction and advanced composites systems, along with proven leadership experience within manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of small craft construction and marine tooling design.
• Proven leadership within a composites manufacturing environment.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for productivity and output of the Composites and Paint departments.
• Manage site operations, safety, and production flow.
• Support the Design team in tooling and build process development.

Skills

Knowledge of small craft construction

Advanced composites systems expertise

Lean Manufacturing experience

Excellent communication skills

Conflict resolution skills

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

MS Project

Job description

SYR are excited to be representing a client who design and build a range of award-winning Superyacht tenders to impeccably high standards. The opportunity for an experienced Composites Manager to join the team has arisen. The Composites Manager will promote and continue to develop a world class facility whilst engaging a cross-functional team, promoting the latest processes & procedures, ensuring targets are met and the highest quality delivered.

This role is based in Southampton and carries overall responsibility for the Composites and Paint departments, as well as the effective management of site operations, safety, and production flow.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the productivity, quality, and output of the Composites and Paint departments, ensuring the development, engagement, and succession planning of all staff.
• Support the Design team in tooling design, mould split strategy, and build process development, ensuring manufacturability and efficiency from concept through to production.
• Lead innovation and development in composite processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and working environment.
• Manage the flow process through the facility in line with IPC procedures, ensuring optimal use of resources and adherence to production targets.
• Take overall responsibility for site management, including Health & Safety, security, and the safe operation of all facilities and equipment.
• Provide line management to the Composites Coordinator, Chargehands, and Paint Chargehand, offering guidance, technical expertise, and HR support.
• Work collaboratively with Project Managers across both sites to ensure composites and paint activities are aligned with project plans, priorities, and timelines, and to manage a smooth handover of projects to the next stage of build at the other site.
• Provide input to the Managing Director on build schedules and work closely with the Fitout Manager to align resource planning, departmental outputs, and workflow across both sites.
• Support production scheduling and capacity planning to ensure projects are delivered on time, to specification, and within budget.
• Manage resourcing and staffing levels by department and by project, maintaining flexibility to meet production requirements.
• Coordinate the movement of projects between shops, ensuring efficient logistics and minimal disruption to workflow.
• Foster a collaborative, empowering team culture, encouraging open communication, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example in upholding all company policies, standards, and quality expectations to deliver a world class product.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Extensive knowledge of small craft construction and marine tooling design.
• Strong understanding of advanced composites systems (Infusion / Prepreg / wet lay) and related manufacturing methods.
• Experience supporting design-for-manufacture and tooling development processes.
• Proven leadership within a composites manufacturing environment, ideally within the marine sector.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience of managing, maintaining and developing a production facility with a strong understanding of Health & Safety and site management responsibilities.
• Confident leadership style with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within HR, H&S, and financial frameworks.
• Commercial awareness of project-based manufacturing.
• High-level understanding of master schedules and planning systems.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Quality driven, organised, and able to deliver on time and on budget.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and MS Project.