Machine Cell Leader

Sammons Recruitment Ltd; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Sammons Recruitment Ltd. seeks an experienced Machining Cell Leader to oversee a busy manufacturing cell in Eastbourne. This hands-on role requires leadership to drive production, quality and delivery while supporting continuous improvement.

You will coordinate machining operations from raw material to finished components, ensuring customer requirements are met. Strong Lean and leadership skills are essential to maintain a safe, efficient environment.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, machining and production processes.
• Experience managing or leading a manufacturing team or department.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others.
• Experience in low volume, high precision manufacturing environment preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Good numerical and IT skills with high accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the manufacturing team, providing guidance, training and support.
• Coordinate daily machining activities to meet targets and schedules.
• Collaborate with Planning and Purchasing to manage priorities and workflow.
• Monitor production performance and resolve issues to maintain quality and delivery.
• Ensure materials, tooling, programmes and equipment are prepared before work.
• Maintain accurate production records and component traceability.
• Promote a strong quality culture and adhere to procedures.
• Support root cause analysis, rework and problem-solving activities.
• Drive Lean, 5S and Kaizen continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor team performance, attendance and skills development.
• Maintain a safe, organised, efficient working environment.

Skills

Manufacturing & production processes

Leadership & team management

Hands-on leadership

Lean Manufacturing & CI

Effective communication

Numerical & IT skills

Leadership qualifications (ILM 3+)

Engineering qualification (HNC/HND)

Education

HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or apprenticeship

ILM Level 3 Leadership

Job description

Are you an experience manufacturing team leader, ready to hit the ground running?

Our client is seeking an experienced and hands-on Machining Cell Leader to oversee the day-to-day operations of a busy manufacturing cell.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong manufacturing background and proven leadership skills to motivate a team, drive production performance and support continuous improvement.

You will take responsibility for coordinating machining operations from raw material through to finished components, ensuring that customer requirements for quality, delivery and cost are consistently achieved.

What's on Offer

• Job type: Full-time, permanent
• Location: Eastbourne
• Salary: £competitive, DOE

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the manufacturing team, providing guidance, training and support
• Coordinate daily machining activities to ensure production targets and schedules are met
• Work closely with Planning and Purchasing teams to manage priorities, resources and workflow
• Monitor production performance, identifying and resolving issues to maintain quality and delivery standards
• Ensure materials, tooling, programmes and equipment are prepared ahead of scheduled work
• Maintain accurate production records, job tracking and component traceability
• Promote a strong quality culture, ensuring procedures and standards are consistently followed
• Support root cause analysis, rework and problem-solving activities where required
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, 5S and Kaizen
• Monitor team performance, attendance, training and skills development
• Maintain a safe, organised and efficient working environment

Skills and Experience Required

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, machining and production processes
• Previous experience managing or leading a manufacturing team or department
• A hands-on leadership style, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others
• Experience working in a low volume, high precision manufacturing environment would be advantageous
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methods
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively at all levels
• Good numerical and IT skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or relevant engineering apprenticeship - desirable
• ILM Level 3 or above in Leadership - desirable