Manufacturing Manager

Nicholas Associates; Callow Hill; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas Associates is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager for the Aerospace department, based near Redditch. The role leads a team of six Manufacturing Engineers, oversees the Toolroom, and collaborates with the Production Manager to resolve production issues.

The successful candidate will champion safe operations, drive continuous improvement, and deliver excellence across EHS, quality, cost, and delivery in a high-precision environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of lean principals and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coaching engineers.

Responsibilities

• Deliver targets across EHS, Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD).
• Maintain visible shop-floor presence and drive issue resolution.
• Lead daily operations and meetings addressing manufacturing challenges.
• Foster safety culture with risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Provide practical technical solutions to improve performance and efficiency.
• Drive improvements in productivity, flow and waste reduction.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the value stream.
• Coach and develop Manufacturing Engineers and SMEs.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to meet KPIs.
• Promote operational excellence and employee engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional teams

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Education

Engineering qualification

Job description

Do you have a background working with any of the following processes: EDM Machining, Multi axis laser, welding or forming metals with hydraulics presses?

Would you be competent leading an experience team within a high precision environment?

If so then please read on

The basics:

Job Title: Manufacturing Manager - Aerospace department

Pay: Up to £62,000 DOE

Hours: 07:30 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 07:30 to 12:30 on a Friday.

Location: Near Redditch

Industry: Manufacturing - precision engineering

Structure: leading a team of x6 Manufacturing Engineers, responsible for the Toolroom and it's operators, whilst working closely with the Production Manager to rectify production issues.Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Manufacturing Manager to lead manufacturing operations and drive continuous improvement across our production environment. This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering operational excellence across Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) while supporting and developing engineering and manufacturing teams.

The successful candidate will be a visible leader on the shop floor, championing operational performance, safety culture, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities of the Manufacturing Manager role:

• Deliver operational targets across EHS, Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD), supporting the site's Operational Control Model.
• Maintain a visible shop-floor presence through regular Walk the Floor activities, driving issue identification and resolution.
• Lead daily operational routines and meetings, taking ownership of manufacturing and engineering challenges.
• Champion a strong health, safety and environmental culture, ensuring compliance through JSOs, Risk Assessments and safe working practices.
• Provide practical technical solutions to improve operational performance, safety and process efficiency.
• Identify and address manufacturing constraints, driving improvements in productivity, flow and waste reduction.
• Lead continuous improvement and structured problem-solving activities across the value stream.
• Support, coach and develop Manufacturing Engineers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, accountability and achievement of key performance indicators.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement and employee engagement.

The ideal candidate / Manufacturing Manager may have some of the following, however, please note these are only desirable and not essential as all applications will be looked at individually:

• Proven experience in a Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager, or similar leadership role within a manufacturing environment that consist of one of the following processes - EDM Machining, Multi axis laser, Precision welding and/or press work.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and developing engineering and operational talent.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence, motivate, and lead teams to deliver operational objectives.
• Data-driven decision-making capability and experience managing KPIs.
• Engineering or Manufacturing-related qualification (HNC/HND, Degree, or equivalent) desirable.

Commutable from:

• Redditch, Alcester and surrounding areas.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies