Manufacturing Manager

HR Contact S.C.; Witney; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

4 days week

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Job summary

HR Contact S.C. in Witney is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to lead the site, drive performance and implement Lean practices. The role blends production management with people leadership, continuous improvement and a hands‑on approach.

The position focuses on achieving KPIs, coordinating activities, and supporting NPI while ensuring quality, safety and regulatory compliance. Monday–Thursday schedule with occasional flexibility is involved.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in manufacturing or production management.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs, productivity, quality and efficiency.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Experience cross‑functional with Quality, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering and Supply Chain / MP&L.
• Experience with New Product Introduction or process development is a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Hands‑on, pragmatic and improvement‑oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for manufacturing performance: drive KPIs and departmental targets.
• Ensure manufacturing output, efficiency and quality standards are achieved and improved.
• Plan and coordinate manufacturing activities to meet OTIF delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce lead times and costs.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Support NPI and new product/process implementation in manufacturing.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure planned and completed activities.
• Ensure compliance with QMS, IATF 16949 and ISO 14001.
• Lead, motivate, coach and develop team members.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean manufacturing

KPIs

Cross-functional

NPI

Health & safety

Team development

Job description

Manufacturing Manager

Join a global Tier 1 automotive business where your decisions drive world-class vehicle launches.

You'll take responsibility for the performance, efficiency and continuous improvement of the manufacturing function.

This is a hands‑on leadership role combining production management, people leadership, operational performance and continuous improvement.

Location: Witney, Oxfordshire (Monday–Thursday work schedule, with occasional flexibility required depending on operational and customer needs).

Company: A trusted partner to the world’s most iconic automotive brands, including Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Bentley, BMW, and the VW Group, that specializes in precision‑engineered labels to complex, innovative illuminated assemblies.

What will you be doing?

• Take overall responsibility for manufacturing performance: drive achievement of agreed KPIs and departmental performance targets.
• Ensure manufacturing output, efficiency and quality standards are consistently achieved and improved.
• Plan and coordinate manufacturing activities to meet customer expectations for On Time and In Full (OTIF) delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce lead times and optimise manufacturing costs.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the manufacturing area.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and the implementation of new products and processes within manufacturing.
• Work closely with the Maintenance team to ensure that site maintenance activities are effectively planned, controlled and completed.
• Ensure manufacturing operates in line with relevant Quality and Environmental Management Systems, including IATF 16949 and ISO 14001.
• Maintain a strong focus on Health & Safety and ensure that relevant systems, including risk assessments and other safety controls, are maintained and followed.
• Lead, motivate, coach and develop team members.

What will help you get the job done?

• Proven experience in manufacturing or production management (the automotive sector would be highly desirable, however we are also open to strong manufacturing leaders from other highly regulated or technically demanding manufacturing environments).
• A strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs, productivity, quality and operational efficiency.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with areas such as Quality, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering and Supply Chain / MP&L.
• Experience with New Product Introduction or manufacturing process development would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder‑management skills.
• A hands‑on, pragmatic and improvement‑oriented approach.

Why is it worth it?

• Join an established manufacturing operation where you will have a visible impact on production performance, people development and continuous improvement.
• Work directly with globally recognised automotive brands on projects that reach series production.
• Broaden your exposure beyond manufacturing and develop towards wider operational or plant leadership responsibilities in the future.
• Be part of a collaborative, non‑corporate organization where autonomy, accountability and practical ideas matter.
• Company pension, 4 days week and 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays.

Hello! I’m Anna and I am responsible for this recruitment process. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I will be happy to meet you!