Head Of Industry Uws (Under Water Systems)

Thales; South Cheriton; Presencial; GBP 120.000 - 170.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Private medical insurance

Leave trading

Cycle to work

Employee discounts

Volunteer day

Stock options

Annual bonus

Descripción de la vacante

Thales UK is seeking a visionary Head of Industry for Under Water Systems (UWS) to lead the full industrial ecosystem across planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics. You will shape industrial strategy, drive performance and champion lean transformation and Industry 4.0.

You will manage a large multidisciplinary team (total headcount ≈300 with 8 direct reports), own cost centre (≈£15M) and throughput (£200M+), and ensure delivery against quality, cost and delivery targets while

Formación

• 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.

Responsabilidades

• Lead end-to-end industrial delivery across planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics.
• Deploy industrial strategy and ensure effective use of resources.
• Oversee supply chain, manufacturing, industrial engineering, and continuous improvement (≈300 headcount, 8 direct reports).
• Ensure successful industrialisation of new products from design 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 (£200M+).
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental standards.

Conocimientos

Lean manufacturing

Change management

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Educación

Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing

MBA / APICS / Green Belt (desirable)

Herramientas

ERP

MES

QMS

Descripción del empleo

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

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.

Head of Industry – Under Water Systems (UWS)

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.

The Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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

About You

• 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

Qualifications

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

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.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!