Operations Supervisor

Vickerstock; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Vickerstock, in partnership with a leading engineering and manufacturing organisation, is appointing a Production Manager – Material Preparation. You will lead the Material Preparation department, overseeing material flow, production planning and supply of components to fabrication operations.

This role suits an experienced material handling or production professional with a heavy engineering background, responsible for nest layouts, scheduling, stock control and driving safety and continuous

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in material handling within a heavy‑duty or heavy engineering environment.
• At least 2 years' experience supervising or leading a material handling team.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce and optimise steel nesting layouts to maximise material utilisation.
• Plan and prioritise daily workload of the Material Preparation team.
• Determine efficient routing of materials through processing and subcontractors.
• Oversee material inventory, stocking, traceability and batch documentation.
• Maintain production schedules and material tracking systems.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and safe to operate.
• Coach and develop team members to meet production targets.
• Support quality investigations and corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Planning

Problem-solving

Organisational

Team supervision

Reading drawings

Job description

Vickerstock are working in partnership with a leading engineering and manufacturing organisation on the appointment of an Production Manager – Material Preparation.

Reporting into the Production Site Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Material Preparation department, overseeing material flow, production planning, team performance and the efficient supply of components to the wider fabrication operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced material handling or production professional with a heavy engineering background to take ownership of a key operational function within a growing manufacturing environment.

In your new role:

• Produce and maintain steel nesting layouts to support material procurement and production, maximising material utilisation and minimising waste
• Plan, organise and prioritise the daily workload of the Material Preparation team in line with production priorities and delivery requirements
• Determine the most efficient routing of materials through internal processing equipment and approved subcontractors
• Manage subcontracted material processing activities, ensuring components are delivered on time and to the required quality standards
• Oversee steel inventory management, including incoming materials, stock location control and material traceability
• Ensure the correct steel is allocated and consumed against the correct job, minimising stock discrepancies and misallocation
• Coordinate the preparation, staging and supply of materials and components to support fabrication activities
• Maintain accurate production schedules and material tracking systems to provide clear visibility of stock and job progress
• Ensure material preparation equipment is maintained in safe and operational condition, coordinating maintenance, inspections and repairs where required
• Identify material shortages, capacity constraints and operational risks, escalating issues where necessary
• Ensure nesting data, stock records, batch documentation and preparation paperwork are completed accurately
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Material Preparation department
• Ensure activities are completed in line with drawings, specifications and company procedures
• Supervise, motivate and support the team to achieve production targets
• Allocate work based on skills, qualifications and workload capacity
• Support performance management, coaching and development of team members
• Assist with onboarding and training of new employees
• Ensure products meet required quality standards and customer specifications
• Support investigations into quality issues and implement corrective actions
• Promote high standards of Health & Safety, PPE usage and safe systems of work
• Ensure machinery, cranes and lifting equipment are operated by trained and authorised personnel
• Maintain strong housekeeping and environmental standards across the department

What you will need to succeed:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in material handling within a heavy-duty or heavy engineering environment
• At least 2 years' experience supervising or leading a material handling team
• Solid understanding of quality standards and inspection processes
• Experience with production planning and workflow management
• Proven track record of meeting production targets and deadlines
• Experience working within a fast-paced production or manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of engineering processes
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
• Strong leadership, organisational and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across production and operational teams