Manufacturing Manager

ASSA ABLOY Group; Ashford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Pension with employer contributions

25 days annual leave

Death in Service

Long Service Awards

Cycle to Work Scheme

Childcare Voucher Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

ASSA ABLOY Group in Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom, is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead production operations, drive performance, and develop a high-performing team. You will focus on safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement while ensuring targets are met efficiently.

The role requires a degree in Manufacturing/Engineering or related discipline, significant management experience in a fast-paced setting, and strong Lean/CI knowledge.

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent) in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Significant manufacturing management experience in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing operational performance, budgets, and KPIs.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, and delivery targets.
• Develop and motivate high-performing production teams.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and improve KPIs including OEE, productivity, quality, and cost performance.
• Manage manufacturing budgets and operational resources.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to optimise performance and minimise downtime.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Leadership

Budget & KPIs

Maintenance coordination

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Manufacturing/Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

About The Role

Location: Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead our production operations and drive performance across safety, quality, productivity, and people development.

You will be responsible for ensuring manufacturing targets are achieved efficiently and safely while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, and delivery targets.
• Develop and motivate high-performing production teams.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and improve KPIs including OEE, productivity, quality, and cost performance.
• Manage manufacturing budgets and operational resources.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to optimise performance and minimise downtime.

About You

You will have:

• A degree (or equivalent) in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Significant manufacturing management experience in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing operational performance, budgets, and KPIs.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Desirable

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience within an ISO-certified manufacturing environment.

Why Join Us?

We offer the opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing and ambitious manufacturing operation. You'll join a business that values innovation, continuous improvement, teamwork, and professional development while providing the support and resources needed to succeed.

What We Offer

At Sunray Engineering, we value our people and are committed to supporting their development and wellbeing. In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Bonus scheme.
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
• Company pension scheme with 7% employer contribution, increasing to 12%.
• 25 days annual leave plus Holiday Flex Scheme.
• Death in Service benefit.
• Long Service Awards.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Childcare Voucher Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group

Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.