Head of Production

Select Appointments; Tetford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Production in Thetford to lead a large-scale manufacturing operation. The role involves strategic leadership, team development, and driving efficiencies while ensuring quality and compliance. With a salary of £65,000 to £75,000, this opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in a rapidly growing company that prioritizes its people.

Benefits

Annual performance bonus

33 days holiday

Private pension

Private medical insurance

Laptop and phone provided

Option of company car

Death in service x4

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven senior production or operations leader in manufacturing or engineering.
• Experience in strategic leadership and managing large teams.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and Lean methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a large-scale manufacturing operation.
• Drive efficiency and scaling operations.
• Ensure quality and compliance with ISO standards.
• Mentor and develop supervisors and managers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Continuous improvement / Lean methodologies

Quality management

Cost management

Job description

Overview

Head of Production – Manufacturing & Engineering

Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + benefits & bonus

Location: Thetford

Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Are you an experienced senior production leader looking for the chance to make a real impact in a high-growth, people-focused business? This is a unique opportunity to step into a newly created Head of Production role, for our client, leading a large-scale manufacturing operation supplying into the UK construction sector and expanding rapidly.

The Opportunity

This is more than a day-to-day operations role – it’s a strategic leadership position at the heart of a company that has quadrupled their turnover in just a few years, with further expansion plans already underway.

This role will sit as part of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly into the MD. You’ll lead a team of around 120 production staff, supported by strong management and supervisory teams. The role is about scaling operations, driving efficiency, building capability, and embedding continuous improvement – all while nurturing a culture where people genuinely come first.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Production planning & scheduling to deliver £multi-million projects as well as high-volume product lines OTIF.
• Operational leadership across multiple sites, with a shift system being introduced.
• Quality and compliance, including supporting the implementation of ISO9001.
• Cost and efficiency management to support sustainable growth.
• Developing and mentoring supervisors/managers, building future leaders.
• Driving continuous improvement through Lean practices and strategic planning.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Design, Procurement, Commercial, and Projects.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a proven senior production or operations leader with experience in engineering, industrial manufacturing or similar environments. You’ll be:

• Strategic yet hands-on, able to plan for growth while delivering today’s results.
• A people-focused leader who can engage a multicultural workforce, balancing empathy with authority.
• Experienced in continuous improvement / Lean methodologies and ideally familiar with ISO standards.
• Commercially aware with a strong grasp of cost, efficiency, and scalability challenges.
• Passionate about developing teams, identifying skills gaps, and building future capability.

This would suit someone coming from a large corporate environment who now wants to make a tangible difference in a growing, family-run style organisation.

What’s On Offer

• Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 (dependent on level and years of experience)
• Annual business performance bonus (non-contractual)
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Private pension (after 1 year)
• Private medical insurance (after 1 year)
• Laptop and phone provided
• Option of company car
• Death in service x4
• Genuine career progression as the business continues to scale

Next Steps

If you’re ready to step into a role where you can shape the future of production operations, drive continuous improvement, and make a real impact in a fast-growing business, Please APPLY NOW or contact Helen Pitcher at Select Recruitment for a confidential discussion.