Manufacturing Director

Jonathan Lee Recruitment; Wednesbury; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jonathan Lee Group is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Director to lead and optimize global manufacturing operations across UK and US facilities. The role focuses on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction, driving operational excellence and scalable manufacturing systems.

The ideal candidate will combine engineering expertise, commercial awareness, and hands-on leadership to drive growth in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy and precision engineering markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations management, or related discipline.
• Master's Degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior operational leadership role.
• Experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Proven experience leading international teams and facilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that support business growth, profitability, and customer service objectives.
• Establish and monitor key operational performance indicators including safety, quality, on-time delivery, productivity, inventory performance, capacity utilization, and labour efficiency.
• Ensure consistent operational standards across all manufacturing locations.
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement programs focused on waste reduction and productivity.
• Develop robust production planning and scheduling systems to support demand growth.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to introduce new products, machinery, automation, and manufacturing technologies.
• Lead manufacturing budgets and capital expenditure planning across UK and US operations.
• Lead, coach and develop manufacturing leadership teams across both countries.

Skills

Leadership

Operational excellence

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Budget management

Manufacturing metrics

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's Degree or MBA

Job description

Manufacturing Director

Our PE backed client is a leading manufacturer and supplier of machined graphite, EDM consumables and overall EDM solutions, serving customers across a wide range of aerospace and industrial markets. With a specific focus on their core growth in the global aerospace sector, we are seeking a NEW and experienced Manufacturing Director who will strategically and practically lead the global manufacturing deliverables of the business.

The Manufacturing Director is responsible for leading and optimizing all manufacturing operations across the Company's UK and US facilities, ensuring world-class levels of safety, quality, delivery, cost and customer satisfaction.

This executive leadership role will drive operational excellence, capacity expansion, continuous improvement and strategic growth initiatives across both regions. The successful candidate will combine strong operational leadership, engineering expertise and commercial awareness to establish scalable manufacturing systems, foster a high-performance culture and support the company's growth objectives in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, tooling and precision engineering markets.

Reporting to the CEO, as an operational lead with a particular exposure to precision machining in aerospace, the Manufacturing Director will lead all manufacturing activities across UK and US operations. Specifically, you will:

• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that support business growth, profitability, and customer service objectives.
• Establish and monitor key operational performance indicators including:
  • Safety
  • Quality
  • On-Time Delivery
  • Productivity
  • Inventory Performance
  • Capacity Utilization
  • Labour Efficiency
• Ensure consistent operational standards across all manufacturing locations.
• Create a culture of accountability, operational excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives throughout the organisation.
• Implement and sustain continuous improvement programs focused on waste reduction, workflow optimization, and productivity enhancement.
• Develop robust production planning and scheduling systems to support demand growth.
• Work closely with engineering teams to introduce new products, machinery, automation and manufacturing technologies.
• Support technology investments that enhance precision, productivity and scalability
• Develop a consistent operational framework while recognising regional market and customer requirements.
• Conduct quarterly reviews at US facilities and support major customer engagements as required.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing between sites.Lead cross-functional global projects involving operations, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Champion a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage manufacturing budgets across UK and US operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins through efficiency improvements and waste reduction.Manage capital expenditure planning and justification.
• Lead, coach and develop manufacturing leadership teams across both countries.
• Build succession plans for key operational positions.

To support this position, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations management, or related discipline.
  • Master’s Degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior operational leadership role.
• Experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Proven experience leading international teams and facilities.

Preferred Industry Experience

• Graphite machining / precision engineering / EDM manufacturing / tooling and mould making / aerospace manufacturing / advanced machining operations / industrial consumables / high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments

Ideal Candidate Profile

• A hands-on manufacturing leader with experience in precision machining and engineered materials, capable of operating at both strategic and operational levels. The ideal candidate is comfortable on the factory floor, understands the technical and commercial challenges of graphite machining and has the leadership presence to drive performance across international manufacturing operations while supporting ambitious growth objectives.

In summary, this is a senior leadership role which will add to the continued success of the business in a demanding environment. It is supported by an executive level package and benefits.