Head of Manufacturing

XDR Partners Ltd; Wirral; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

XDR Partners Ltd in Birkenhead, Wirral, is hiring a Head of Manufacturing to lead day-to-day plant operations, drive safety, quality and productivity, and manage a diverse workforce of permanent and agency staff.

You will champion Lean Six Sigma, collaborate with engineering, quality, technical and finance teams, oversee budgets, and report to the Managing Director as part of the Senior Leadership Team.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Providing 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

Skills

Operations management

Engineering background

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

HR processes

Communication

Senior leadership

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