Head of Manufacturing

The Danesmoor Group; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the manufacturing industry is seeking a strategic and operational Group Head of Manufacturing. The successful candidate will lead all manufacturing sites, ensuring high standards in safety, quality, cost, and delivery. This pivotal role involves developing processes and technology to achieve world-class performance while fostering a positive organizational culture.

Benefits

Competitive package based on skills and experience

Qualifications

• Proven success in leading operational teams across multiple sites.
• Ability to manage budgets and deliver measurable improvements.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma principles or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop all manufacturing sites to ensure product quality.
• Maintain Health & Safety standards and optimize production performance.
• Mentor site leadership teams to create future-ready teams.

Skills

Leadership

Change Management

Strategic Communication

Project Management

Budget Management

Education

Relevant Degree in Operations, Engineering, or Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP ERP

Job description

We are seeking to recruit a strategic and operational Group Head of Manufacturing who provides leadership across sites and teams to deliver safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets. This role plays a pivotal part in Danesmoor’s transformation journey—developing people, processes, and technology to reach world-class manufacturing standards while building a strong, aligned culture across the business units.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop all manufacturing sites across the group.
• Promote and maintain Health & Safety standards/policies in all functions.
• Oversee budgets, resources, and planning across manufacturing and engineering.
• Use data and KPIs to optimise production performance, ensuring we meet demand with on time, quality products.
• Lead, mentor and develop site leadership teams through coaching and performance management, creating future-ready teams.
• Provide clear direction, accountability and feedback to support team development.
• Lead positive culture change, embody and embed our core values.
• Represent Manufacturing at Group level, providing insight and influence on business-critical decisions
• Drive the prioritisation and resourcing of strategic business initiatives
• Work with senior leadership to define and deliver long-term value across operations, customer experience, and profitability

Essential Requirements:

• Proven success in leading large operational teams across multiple sites
• Change and transformation leadership
• Strategic communication and presentation skills
• Project management with a track record of delivering measurable improvements
• Budget and cost management expertise
• Energy, resilience, and proactive decision-making
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and quick to adopt new technology
• Confident and self-assured
• Constructive challenger and skilled facilitator
• Inspires and engages at all levels
• Curious, perceptive, and committed to continuous learning
• Acts as a coach and mentor across the organisation
• Emotionally intelligent and people-focused leader

Desirable but not essential

• Relevant Degree in Operations, Engineering, or Business
• Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience
• Background in KBB industry
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Higher, or equivalent Lean Qualification.
• SAP ERP system experience

What we offer

• Competitive package dependant on skills, qualifications and experience