Manufacturing Manager

Smart4 Sciences; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart4Sciences in Cambridge is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to lead a large, high-value production operation. You will drive safety, quality and operational performance, mentor 50+ staff, and oversee process improvements from R&D through to full production.

You will work closely with R&D, engineering and commercial teams to deliver on ambitious schedules, introduce new products, and optimize capacity while upholding stringent safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Proven leadership of production teams in chemical/materials manufacturing.
• Experience managing KPIs, production planning and OTIF targets.
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma or continuous improvement.
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, maintenance and quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead a manufacturing operation delivering products to schedules and standards.
• Mentor a team of 50+ operators, supervisors and technical staff.
• Own site safety performance and ensure compliance with legislation.
• Develop and execute annual production plans to meet objectives.
• Drive performance across productivity, quality, cost, delivery and inventory.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma/Kaizen and root-cause analysis efforts.
• Manage quality investigations and corrective actions.
• Support new product introductions and tech transfers to production.
• Collaborate with R&D to support product development and sampling.

Skills

Manufacturing Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

KPIs & Production Planning

Team Leadership

Safety & EHS

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Degree in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / related

Tools

Minitab

Excel

Job description

Manufacturing Manager

Location: Cambridge

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: £60,000 - £68,000

The Opportunity

Smart4Sciences are recruiting for a Manufacturing Manager on behalf of a global advanced materials manufacturer supplying highly engineered products into aerospace and other demanding industrial sectors.

This is a significant manufacturing leadership opportunity, managing a large production operation with responsibility for plant performance, safety, quality, continuous improvement, new product introduction and people leadership. The successful candidate will lead a multi-disciplinary team of over 50 employees whilst overseeing high-value manufacturing assets, driving operational excellence, and supporting the scale-up of new technologies from R&D through to full production.

We're particularly interested in candidates with a background in chemical manufacturing, materials manufacturing, composites, polymers, coatings, resins or other process manufacturing environments, alongside proven experience leading teams and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a manufacturing operation responsible for delivering products to demanding customer schedules, quality standards and operational targets.
• Manage, develop and mentor a team of 50+ employees including operators, supervisors and technical personnel.
• Take ownership of site safety performance, promoting a strong EHS culture and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and procedures.
• Develop and execute annual production plans, ensuring resources are effectively utilised to meet business objectives.
• Drive operational performance across productivity, quality, cost, delivery and inventory metrics.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis and related methodologies.
• Manage quality investigations and non-conformance activities, ensuring robust corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
• Support new product introductions and technology transfers from laboratory scale through to full manufacturing production.
• Work closely with R&D teams to support product development and customer sampling programmes.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams to maximise equipment reliability and optimise preventative maintenance programmes.
• Support capital investment projects focused on safety, capacity, productivity and process improvements.
• Manage inventory, work-in-progress and stock levels to improve operational efficiency.
• Present operational performance updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Work cross-functionally with planning, logistics, engineering, maintenance, quality and commercial teams.

Skills & Experience Required

• Degree qualified in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Science or a related discipline.
• Proven manufacturing leadership experience within a chemical, materials, composites or process manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing production teams, supervisors and operational performance within a manufacturing operation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs, production planning and operational excellence principles.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Excellent people management, communication and leadership skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience working closely with engineering, maintenance, quality and supply chain functions.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PFMEA or structured root cause analysis methodologies.
• Experience supporting new product introduction and technology transfer activities.
• Knowledge of composites, advanced materials, polymers, coatings or high-performance manufacturing processes.
• Experience using Minitab and manufacturing data analysis tools.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience within aerospace, advanced materials or highly regulated manufacturing environments.

What's On Offer

• Opportunity to lead a large manufacturing operation within a global advanced materials business.
• Significant responsibility for safety, quality, people leadership and operational performance.
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies and new product introduction programmes.
• Opportunity to work closely with R&D, engineering and commercial teams.
• Strong focus on continuous improvement, operational excellence and leadership development.
• Long-term career progression opportunities within a global manufacturing organisation.
• Opportunity to lead high-impact cost reduction and operational improvement projects.