Head Of Manufacturing

XDR Partners Ltd; Bebington; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

XDR Partners Ltd in Wirral is seeking a Head of Manufacturing to lead day-to-day plant operations, drive productivity, quality, safety and continuous improvement with a diverse team of permanent and agency staff.

You will partner with engineering, quality, technical and finance, champion Lean Six Sigma, manage HR processes, health and safety, and oversee budgets. This senior role reports to the Managing Director and demands hands-on leadership and strategic direction.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in manufacturing operations management.
• Strong engineering background: mechanical, electrical, or chemical.
• Experience leading permanent and agency teams.
• Lean Six Sigma experience driving measurable results.
• HR processes management experience.
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills.
• Experience as part of a Senior Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership across all plant operations.
• Drive productivity, quality and efficiency against KPIs.
• Lead, motivate and develop a diverse workforce (permanent and agency).
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, technical and finance teams.
• Champion Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement culture.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals and discipline where needed.
• Uphold health, safety and environmental standards.
• Manage operational budgets and address variances.
• Partner with engineering on process improvement and capital projects.
• Balance priorities to maximize machine utilisation and output.

Skills

Operations management

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

HR processes

Decision-making

Communication

Education

Engineering background (Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical)

Job description

Head of Manufacturing

Birkenhead, Wirral | Permanent, Full-Time

Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader ready to take charge of a dynamic, growing plant?

This is a pivotal, hands-on leadership role reporting directly to the Managing Director. You'll take ownership of day-to-day plant operations, driving productivity, quality, safety and continuous improvement while leading a diverse team of permanent and agency staff.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing visionary, hands-on leadership across all plant operations
• Delivering sustained improvements in productivity, quality and efficiency against business KPIs
• Leading, motivating and developing a diverse workforce of permanent and agency operators
• Working cross-functionally with engineering, quality, technical and finance teams
• Championing Lean Six Sigma and embedding a culture of continuous improvement
• Managing HR processes including appraisals, capability reviews and disciplinary/grievance matters
• Upholding rigorous health, safety and environmental standards
• Managing operational budgets and addressing variances proactively
• Partnering with engineering on process improvement and capital projects
• Balancing competing priorities to maximise machine utilisation and output

What We're Looking For

• A proven track record in operations management within manufacturing
• A strong engineering background — Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical
• Demonstrated leadership of both permanent and agency teams
• Hands-on experience applying Lean Six Sigma to drive real, measurable results
• Solid experience managing HR-related processes
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Previous experience as part of a Senior Leadership Team