Head of Manufacturing Excellence

Territo Electric & Territo Information Systems; Northampton; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking company is seeking a Head of Manufacturing Excellence to spearhead initiatives that drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement. This pivotal role involves leading strategic efforts to enhance productivity, quality, and sustainability across the manufacturing organization. The ideal candidate will possess strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, alongside a proven track record in lean manufacturing methodologies. Join a committed team dedicated to achieving the highest standards in manufacturing while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a leading manufacturer within the construction sector.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Company Pension Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Gym Benefit

Cycle 2 Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Referral Scheme

Service Awards

Sharesave Scheme

Financial Wellbeing Program

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading manufacturing excellence initiatives.
• Strong background in continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Manufacturing Excellence strategy.
• Drive productivity improvements through automation and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards across facilities.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Problem-Solving

Effective Communication

Analytical Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Education

Degree in Engineering

Degree in Manufacturing

Degree in Operations Management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Title: Head of Manufacturing Excellence

Location: Home Based

Salary: Competitive Salary

Type: Permanent, Full Time

Application Deadline: 04/02/2025

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Forterra team in the position of Head of Manufacturing Excellence.

The Head of Manufacturing Excellence will lead the strategic and operational efforts to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and best practices across the manufacturing organization. This role is critical in ensuring the highest standards of productivity, quality, sustainability, and cost efficiency are achieved while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Your duties would include but not limited to the following:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute the Manufacturing Excellence strategy aligned with the organisation’s goals.
• Identify and implement initiatives to enhance operational performance, quality, and sustainability.
• Champion lean manufacturing and other process improvement methodologies across the organisation.

Continuous Improvement:

• Establish and promote a culture of continuous improvement in manufacturing processes and systems.
• Analyse performance metrics and implement best practices to achieve world-class manufacturing standards.
• Lead Manufacturing Excellence deployments across sites aligned to the 3 Year Roadmap.
• Lead the governance processes for the company Manufacturing Excellence projects, driving continuous improvement and learning and sharing across sites.

Operational Efficiency:

• Drive productivity improvements through automation, digitalisation, and innovation.
• Standardise manufacturing processes and procedures to ensure consistency and repeatability.
• Optimise resource utilisation, including labour, materials, and energy.

Quality and Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to regulatory, safety, and quality standards across all facilities.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to drive defect reduction and maintain product excellence.
• Lead root-cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and deploy a company-wide approach to structured problem-solving.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Supply Chain, and Engineering, to align manufacturing capabilities with business needs.
• Partner with external stakeholders to benchmark and integrate industry best practices.

Reporting and Accountability:

• Lead a small team of Manufacturing Excellence coaches focused on supporting sites with continuous improvement activities and rolling out the deployment of the Manufacturing Excellence programme across the company’s sites.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to manufacturing efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership on progress and outcomes of initiatives.

About You:

• Ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Confident & outgoing personality.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and MS Teams.
• Strategic thinker.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• A degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive Salary and Benefits package.
• Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members.
• Employee Referral Scheme.
• Service Awards.
• Sharesave Scheme eligibility.
• Holiday Exchange Scheme.
• Financial Wellbeing Program.
• Personal development and opportunities for progression.
• Company Annual Bonus Scheme.

We are a leading manufacturer of a diverse and trusted range of concrete and clay building products used extensively within the construction sector, with instantly recognisable brands including Thermalite block, Bison Precast and the iconic London Brick.

Our complete product range comprises of clay bricks, aircrete blocks, aggregate blocks, precast concrete, flooring products, permeable paving and chimney, roofing, and flue systems.

Forterra’s purpose is to build lasting legacies, manufacturing a range of products from the ground up to support customers with their construction projects.

We are proud to be at the forefront of the industries’ safety standards and are committed to achieving zero harm in our workplaces.