Production Manager

HRGO Recruitment; Braintree; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

HRGO Recruitment is seeking a Production Manager for a precision engineering manufacturer. You will join the Senior Leadership Team to drive operational performance, OTIF delivery and quality, across volume manufacture, NPI, and high-spec subcontract work.

You will own day-to-day production, lead CNC teams, and ensure AS9100 compliance while building leadership on the shop floor and delivering continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in production leadership within precision engineering or related manufacturing.
• Experience in aerospace and/or defence manufacturing environments.
• Strong CNC milling/turning understanding and credibility with machinists.
• Proven ability to improve productivity, utilisation, scrap/rework and overtime spend.
• Confident with ERP/MRP systems and Excel for KPI reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own production output, delivery performance and operational stability across all product streams.
• Lead capacity management with the Planner; control overtime strategically and commercially.
• Ensure smooth NPI handover into operations and resolve bottlenecks with structured corrective actions.
• Ensure production compliance with aerospace/defence requirements and AS9100 standards.
• Lead, coach and develop Shopfloor Team Leaders and Machinists; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Production leadership

Aerospace/defence

CNC milling/turning

ERP/MRP

Excel for KPI reporting

Cross-functional communication

Job description

Production /operations Manager — Precision Engineering Manufacturer

A precision engineering manufacturer operating across a mixed production environment—volume own-product manufacture, new product introduction (NPI) handover, high-spec subcontract machining, and aerospace & defence work—is seeking an experienced Production Manager to join the Senior Leadership Team and drive operational performance, delivery and quality as the business scales considerably.

The role

You’ll take ownership of day-to-day production output and lead a skilled CNC workforce to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery, stable operations and continuous improvement—while maintaining the discipline required for aerospace/defence compliance.

Key responsibilities

Senior Leadership & business performance

Contribute to company strategy, growth planning and operational improvement as an SLT member

Provide clear reporting on operational KPIs and performance trends

Work cross-functionally (Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning) to protect margin and delivery

Operational leadership

Own production output, delivery performance and operational stability across all product streams

Lead capacity management with the Planner; control overtime strategically and commercially

Ensure smooth NPI handover into operations and resolve bottlenecks with structured corrective actions

Aerospace & Defence compliance

Ensure production compliance with aerospace/defence requirements and regulated quality systems (e.g., AS9100)

Maintain traceability, configuration control and FAIR/First Article discipline

Support internal/external audits and embed a right-first-time, zero-compromise quality culture

People leadership

Lead, coach and develop Shopfloor Team Leaders/Machinists; build leadership capability on the floor

Set clear standards, run structured 1-1s/reviews, and address underperformance promptly

Retain key skilled personnel in a growing environment

What we’re looking for

5+ years in production leadership within precision engineering or related manufacturing

Experience in aerospace and/or defence manufacturing environments

Strong CNC machining understanding (milling/turning) and credibility with experienced machinists

Proven ability to improve productivity, utilisation, scrap/rework and overtime spend

Confident with ERP/MRP systems and Excel for KPI reporting

Calm, fair-but-firm, structured, commercially aware, and an effective cross-functional communicator.

This is a permanent job with a starting salary dependant on experience. You must have current UK right to work to be considered. HRGO are a recruitment agency supporting UK manufacturing. We aim to respond to all applications.