Head of Underwater Systems Industry Transformation

Thales Group; South Cheriton; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Leave trading

Cycle to work

Employee discounts

Volunteer day

Stock options

Annual bonus

Job summary

Thales UK is seeking a visionary Head of Industry for Under Water Systems (UWS) to lead the full industrial ecosystem across planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics. You will shape industrial strategy, drive performance and champion lean transformation and Industry 4.0.

You will manage a large multidisciplinary team (total headcount ≈300 with 8 direct reports), own cost centre (≈£15M) and throughput (£200M+), and ensure delivery against quality, cost and delivery targets while

Qualifications

• Senior operational leader with experience in complex manufacturing and supply chains.
• Strong expertise in lean manufacturing and industrial transformation.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and drive change.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end industrial delivery across planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics.
• Deploy industrial strategy and ensure effective use of resources.
• Oversee supply chain, manufacturing, industrial engineering, and continuous improvement (≈300 headcount, 8 direct reports).
• Ensure successful industrialisation of new products from design to production.
• Deliver performance against quality, cost, and delivery targets by optimising inventory, supply and WIP.
• Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 and digital industrial technologies.
• Ensure effective use of industrial systems (ERP, MES, QMS).
• Lead change management and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage cost centre (~£15M) and industrial throughput (£200M+).
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental standards.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Change management

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing

MBA / APICS / Green Belt (desirable)

Tools

ERP

MES

QMS

Job description

Thales UK is seeking a visionary Head of Industry for Under Water Systems (UWS) to lead the full industrial ecosystem across planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics. You will shape industrial strategy, drive performance and champion lean transformation and Industry 4.0.

You will manage a large multidisciplinary team (total headcount ≈300 with 8 direct reports), own cost centre (≈£15M) and throughput (£200M+), and ensure delivery against quality, cost and delivery targets while