Composites Manufacturing Manager

Orion Electrotech; Swindon; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £75,000

Annual performance bonus

Matched pension contribution up to 10%

Private medical insurance

Employee assistance programme

Electric vehicle, technology and cycle

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Orion Electrotech Ltd in Swindon seeks a Composites Manufacturing Manager to lead a brand-new composites facility from day one. You will own facility layout, equipment selection, and production delivery, building a high-performing team in a highly regulated, aerospace-forward environment.

The role combines strategic planning with hands-on leadership across lean manufacturing, quality, and continuous improvement to scale operations and support ambitious growth.

Qualifications

• Proven composites manufacturing experience within aerospace or other advanced engineering sectors.
• Experience with prepreg and/or wet lay-up manufacturing processes.
• Experience building and leading production teams.
• Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement the composites manufacturing facility layout and production flow.
• Specify, source and commission manufacturing equipment, tooling and fixtures.
• Establish composite lay-up, curing, trimming and inspection capabilities.
• Develop robust manufacturing processes delivering quality, efficiency and traceability.
• Recruit, train and develop a high-performing composites manufacturing team.
• Drive production performance against safety, quality, delivery and cost objectives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles.
• Develop strong supplier relationships and support material sourcing strategies.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards and manufacturing best practices.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams across a wider international manufacturing network.

Skills

Composites manufacturing

Aerospace experience

Lean / CI / Six Sigma

Team leadership

Problem solving

Job description

Swindon Up to £75,000 Bonus Excellent Benefits

A Rare Opportunity to Build a Manufacturing Capability From the Ground Up

We are supporting a fast-growing advanced engineering organisation at the forefront of developing highly sophisticated airborne and autonomous technology solutions.

As part of a significant investment in UK manufacturing, the business is creating a brand-new composites production facility and is looking for an experienced Composites Manufacturing Manager to lead its development.

This is a unique opportunity to shape an operation from day one. You’ll have full ownership of the composites manufacturing function, from facility layout and equipment selection through to team recruitment, process development, quality standards and production delivery.

The role would suit an experienced composites professional who enjoys combining strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership.

The Role

Reporting into the senior manufacturing leadership team, you will establish and lead a dedicated composites manufacturing operation producing high-performance composite structures for advanced engineering applications.

You’ll work across manufacturing, engineering, quality and supply chain teams to create a safe, efficient and scalable production environment capable of supporting ambitious growth plans.

This is a highly autonomous role where your decisions will directly influence the future success of the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement the composites manufacturing facility layout and production flow.
• Specify, source and commission manufacturing equipment, tooling and fixtures.
• Establish composite lay-up, curing, trimming and inspection capabilities.
• Develop robust manufacturing processes delivering quality, efficiency and traceability.
• Recruit, train and develop a high-performing composites manufacturing team.
• Drive production performance against safety, quality, delivery and cost objectives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles.
• Develop strong supplier relationships and support material sourcing strategies.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards and manufacturing best practices.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams across a wider international manufacturing network.

About You

We are interested in speaking with candidates who have:

• Proven composites manufacturing experience within aerospace, motorsport, automotive, marine or other advanced engineering sectors.
• Strong understanding of prepreg and/or wet lay-up manufacturing processes.
• Experience introducing new manufacturing cells, production lines or facilities.
• Knowledge of composite trimming, finishing and inspection techniques.
• A track record of building, leading and developing production teams.
• Experience working within regulated or precision-engineering environments.
• Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement or Six Sigma exposure.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on management style.
• Ability to work within a highly regulated environment and meet the requirements necessary to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a growing technology-focused manufacturer at a pivotal stage of its expansion.

You’ll have the chance to:

• Build and shape your own department.
• Influence facility design and manufacturing strategy.
• Lead a growing specialist team.
• Work on innovative, technically challenging products.
• Join a business investing heavily in UK capability and long-term growth.

Package

• Salary up to £75,000
• Annual performance bonus
• Matched pension contribution up to 10%
• Private medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Electric vehicle, technology and cycle-to-work schemes
• Career development opportunities within a growing engineering organisation

Alternative Job Titles

Composite Manufacturing Manager Composites Operations Manager Manufacturing Manager Composite Production Manager Head of Composites Composites Workshop Manager Composite Operations Lead Advanced Manufacturing Manager Production Manager – Composites Composite Facility Manager