Production Manager

R.E. Thompson & Co. Ltd; Andover; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Bike2Work Scheme

Company laptop and mobile phone

Job summary

R.E. Thompson & Co. Ltd in Andover is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations. Responsibilities include production scheduling, team coordination, and ensuring on-time project delivery. This role is crucial in maintaining excellence for aerospace and defence customers.

The successful candidate will manage sophisticated manufacturing environments and oversee compliance with quality standards. A competitive salary of £45,000 – £60,000 is offered, along with professional development opportunities and a pension scheme.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Production Manager or similar leadership role in manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, and capacity management.
• Experience managing teams in a precision engineering or aerospace environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead production scheduling and coordinate teams to deliver projects safely, on time, and to specification.
• Manage daily operations and drive results across the manufacturing floor.
• Oversee capacity planning and resource allocation to maximise efficiency.

Skills

Production planning

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Lean manufacturing

Education

IOSH or NEBOSH qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Production Manager to lead our manufacturing operations at our advanced facility in Andover.

You will be responsible for production scheduling, team coordination, and ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to specification.

This role is central to maintaining our reputation for excellence and meeting the demanding requirements of our aerospace and defence customers.

You will manage daily operations across our sophisticated automated manufacturing environment, including our Fastems Flexible Manufacturing Systems and fleet of 5-axis machining centres.

£45,000 – £60,000 per annum (depending on experience)

About Us

R E Thompson is a leading precision aerospace engineering company with over 75 years of experience providing complete manufacturing solutions.

Operating from our advanced facilities in Hampshire, we are home to the UK’s most sophisticated automated 5-axis machine shop. Our state-of-the-art Flexible Manufacturing System enables 24/7 lights-out production, and we hold AS9100, ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001 certifications.

We work with prestigious clients including GE Aviation, BAE Systems, and Ontic, delivering complex precision components for the aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics industries.

• Lead production scheduling and coordinate teams to deliver projects safely, on time, and to specification
• Manage daily operations and drive results across the manufacturing floor
• Oversee capacity planning and resource allocation to maximise efficiency
• Ensure compliance with quality standards (AS9100) and health & safety regulations
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) including OTD, quality, and productivity
• Lead, motivate, and develop production teams
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and planning teams to resolve issues
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and lean manufacturing practices
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders and support customer requirements
• Report on production performance to senior management

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Production Manager or similar leadership role in manufacturing
• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, and capacity management
• Experience managing teams in a precision engineering or aerospace environment
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Proficient with ERP systems and Microsoft Office
• Experience with automated manufacturing systems (FMS, pallet systems)
• Knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace industry requirements
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
• Experience with Epicor or similar ERP systems

We offer

• Competitive salary as advertised
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Life Assurance
• Bike2Work Scheme
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Business mileage allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone provided
• On-site parking at our modern facility
• Team building events

How to apply

Please apply through Indeed.

Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the UK to be considered, as we will not be sponsoring visas for this role.