Manufacturing Manager

Thompson Aero Seating; Portadown; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days annual leave

£5,000 employee referral bonus

Health cash plan

Contributory Pension Scheme

Holiday Purchase Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Life Assurance x4 salary

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Wellbeing Initiatives

Employee Recognition scheme

Service Awards

Local charity sponsorship

Job summary

Thompson Aero Seating in Portadown, Northern Ireland, is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to lead a cross-functional team within the Composites department. You will oversee capacity planning, production scheduling to the Master Production Schedule, and ensure safe, compliant operations.

The role emphasizes lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and effective use of MRP/ERP systems, while liaising with stakeholders to deliver high-quality composite components and meet KPI targets.

Qualifications

• Extensive management experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement background.
• Experience training a team in a high-paced Lean Production Environment.
• Experience working with KPIs and operational processes.

Responsibilities

• Capacity planning within budgeted manning & cost levels.
• Production planning to Master Production Schedule and programme requirements.
• Liaising with key stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of composite components in line with MPS requirements.
• Optimising workflow and layout in conjunction with Engineering, Quality and CI.
• Ensuring all quality, health and safety requirements are maintained and improved.
• Using MRP effectively across functions within the value stream.
• Leading continuous improvement using lean principles to reduce operational costs.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

KPIs

Training team

Problem solving

Education

Third Level Qualification or Equivalent

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

• Wellbeing Initiatives
• Employee Recognition scheme

The Manufacturing Manager will be responsible for the leadership & performance of a cross functional team of Manufacturing Technical Leads and Production Operatives within the Composites department.

Responsibilities

• Capacity planning within budgeted manning & cost levels
• Production planning to Master Production Schedule and programme requirements
• Liaising with key stakeholders within other value streams and support functions to ensure timely delivery of composite components in line with MPS requirements
• Optimising workflow and layout in conjunction with Engineering, Quality and Continuous Improvement
• Ensuring all Company and regulatory quality, health and safety requirements are maintained and improved
• Ensuring correct and timely usage of MRP system by all functions within the value stream
• Drive a daily culture of continuous improvement by utilising lean principles to deliver operational cost reductions within a lean manufacturing environment
• Participating in on-site customer events and audits
• Driving year on year manufacturing efficiencies to support business growth
• Prioritise and delegate tasks to ensure productivity, quality & improvement targets are met in accordance with set KPI's and reporting on Weekly Key Performance Indicators to Senior Management
• Holiday management and resource planning
• Administration and reporting as necessary
• Develop and maintain standardised manufacturing processes across composite lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming, bonding and assembly operations
• Ensure compliance with all process specifications, work instructions and customer requirements relating to composite manufacturing
• Lead RCCA investigations into Quality, Process and Safety Issues and ensure effective implementation of corrective actions
• Develop & maintain visual management systems in line with visual factory principles
• Lead & participate in projects to success via SMART objectives
• Co-ordinate cross training to maximise versatility of employees
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping in accordance with visual factory and 5S principles
• Ensure clear communication to employees at all times, allowing the team to be fully briefed regarding operational performance and ongoing improvement plans
• Perform other duties as directed by the Operations Manager

Reward

• Competitive salary
• 33 days annual leave (Increase after 5 years' service)
• £5,000 employee referral bonus
• Health cash plan
• Contributory Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme - Salary Sacrifice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance Scheme at x4 gross salary
• Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• IVF & Assisted Conception Policy
• Women in Business - Corporate Member
• Wellbeing Initiatives
• Employee Recognition scheme
• Service Awards
• Local charity / sponsorship activities
• Dedicated employee parking
• Discounted Gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression

Essential

• Management/Supervisory experience in a highly regulated Engineering/Manufacturing environment
• Proficient working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems
• Proven track record in Lean Manufacturing and driving continuous improvement
• Experience of training a team in a high paced Lean Production Environment
• Working knowledge of KPIs and Operational processes
• Experience of work-based data analysis and problem solving to enable focused and planned process improvements

Desirable

• Third Level Qualification or Equivalent
• Experience within composites manufacturing, aerospace manufacturing or a similarly regulated environment
• Working knowledge of composite manufacturing processes including lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming, bonding and assembly

We reserve the right to enhance criteria on shortlisting.

Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.

The closing date for applications is the 4th October 2026 at 17:00.