Head of Industry UWS (Under Water Systems)

Thales Group; North Cheriton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual leave trading

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts

Volunteer day

Stocks and shares

Annual bonus

Job summary

Thales UK is seeking a visionary Head of Industry to lead industrial excellence across planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics. You will shape strategy, drive lean transformation and ensure delivery against quality, cost and lead times in a complex manufacturing environment.

You will manage a large, multi-disciplinary team, champion Industry 4.0 technologies, and represent operations in bids and reviews, delivering value for the business and customers.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing (essential).
• Lean manufacturing expertise (5S, Kaizen) required.
• MBA, APICS or Green Belt desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end industrial delivery, including planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics.
• Deploy industrial strategy and optimize use of resources.
• Oversee supply chain, manufacturing, industrial engineering and continuous improvement (headcount ~300).
• Ensure successful industrialisation of new products from design to production.
• Deliver performance against quality, cost and delivery targets by optimizing inventory, supply and WIP.
• Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 and digital industrial technologies.
• Ensure effective use of ERP, MES and QMS across operations.
• Lead change management and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage cost centre (~£15M) and industrial throughput (~£200M+).
• Represent industrial operations at bid and gate reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Industrial transformation

Communication skills

Change management

Education

Engineering degree

MBA or APICS or Green Belt desirable

Tools

ERP

MES

QMS

Job description

You will lead the full industrial ecosystem, ensuring delivery across planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics. With accountability for both performance and customer satisfaction, you'll shape and execute industrial strategy while championing lean principles and Industry 4.0 transformation.,

• Lead end-to-end industrial delivery, including planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics aligned to S&OP supply plans
• Deploy industrial strategy, ensuring effective use of human, financial, and physical resources
• Oversee supply chain, manufacturing, industrial engineering, and continuous improvement activities (total 300 headcount, 8 direct reports)
• Ensure successful industrialisation of new products from design through to production
• Deliver performance against quality, cost, and delivery targets by optimising inventory, supply, and WIP
• Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 and digital industrial technologies
• Ensure effective use of industrial systems (ERP, MES, QMS)
• Lead change management and embed a culture of continuous improvement
• Manage cost centre (~£15M) and industrial throughput (c. £200M+)
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental standards
• Represent industrial operations at bid and gate reviews, approving industrial solutions
• Act as industrial lead within business domains, supporting proposals and programme delivery Senior operational leader with experience in complex manufacturing and supply chains
• Strong expertise in lean manufacturing and industrial transformation
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and drive change
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence at all levels, Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing (essential)
• Lean expertise (e.g., 5S, Kaizen)
• MBA, APICS or Green Belt (desirable) 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., Are you ready to lead industrial excellence in a purpose-driven organisation? At Thales UK, we are seeking a visionary Head of Industry to drive performance, innovation, and transformation across our Under Water Systems business-helping keep people safe worldwide., Why Thales?
• Join a global leader at the forefront of defence innovation. Shape the future of underwater systems while making a real-world impact. At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.