Production Manager

Bearcroft; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Annual leave

Job summary

Bearcroft in Cardiff is seeking an experienced Production Manager to take operational ownership of a defence-grade manufacturing facility. You will lead day-to-day shop-floor operations, ensure target delivery, and drive assembly workflows from prototyping to full production.

The role demands hands-on RF/electronic hardware know-how, strong leadership, and a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset. On-site, with minimal client travel, and clear progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Operational and production management experience in commercial hardware manufacturing.
• Practical RF and electronic hardware background.
• Hands-on engineering mindset focused on real-world fabrication.
• Direct industry experience (not from ex-Forces).
• Eligible for UK security clearance.
• Strong leadership, organization and communication for a shop-floor role.
• Mechanical and electrical assembly aptitude; degree not required.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily shop-floor manufacturing operations to meet delivery schedules and standards.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance across assembly and integration.
• Bridge engineering and manufacturing from prototyping to full production.
• Mentor and schedule workshop technicians.
• Coordinate inventory control, materials planning, and resources.
• Implement lean principles and continuous improvement.
• Maintain production records, QA docs, and SOPs.

Skills

RF hardware

Leadership

Shop-floor operations

Manufacturing experience

Electrical assembly

Tools

RF testing equipment

Job description

Cutting-Edge Counter-UAS Technology Innovator | Production Manager | Cardiff | Competitive

About the Company:

Our partner, a pioneering defence and security technology specialist, is dedicated to revolutionising airspace safety through the development and manufacture of high-performance drone detection and mitigation systems. Their advanced counter-UAS platforms protect critical infrastructure and enhance security across diverse global environments. Due to continued growth, they are now looking for an experienced Production Manager to take operational ownership of their manufacturing facility in Cardiff.

About the Role:

They are now seeking a hands-on Production Manager to lead day-to-day operations and ensure production targets are achieved with absolute precision. This role is ideal for a pragmatic, workshop-focused operations leader with a strong commercial RF background who enjoys being embedded directly on the shop floor rather than in theoretical testing. With minimal client-facing travel, you will be primarily responsible for minding the shop, streamlining assembly workflows, and turning innovative hardware designs into reliable, deployable products.

Responsibilities:

• - Direct daily shop-floor manufacturing operations to ensure target delivery schedules and build standards are consistently met.
• - Provide hands-on technical guidance across assembly and integration, resolving hardware challenges directly on the production line.
• - Bridge the gap between engineering innovation and manufacturing, facilitating seamless transitions from prototyping to full production.
• - Manage, mentor, and schedule workshop technicians, fostering a culture of accountability, precision, and operational safety.
• - Coordinate inventory control, production materials planning, and workshop resources to prevent manufacturing bottlenecks.
• - Implement lean principles and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance manufacturing throughput and operational efficiency.
• - Maintain accurate production records, quality assurance documentation, and standard operating procedures.

Requirements:

• - Proven operational and production management experience within a commercial engineering or hardware manufacturing environment.
• - Practical, non-negotiable technical background working with radio frequency (RF) and electronic hardware.
• - Hands-on engineering mindset with practical innovation skills, avoiding purely test- or simulation-based approaches.
• - Solid background in commercial industry (candidates must come directly from industry rather than ex-Forces).
• - UK national eligible and suitable to obtain UK security clearance.
• - Exceptional leadership, organisational, and communication skills suited to running an active technical workshop.
• - Strong mechanical and electrical assembly aptitude (formal degree not required; self-taught specialists are warmly welcomed).

Compensation and benefits:

• - Competitive salary with flexibility to scale upwards for an experienced RF production specialist.
• - High-impact leadership position with clear progression opportunities as the business expands.
• - Opportunity to shape the manufacturing processes of disruptive, mission-critical defence technology.
• - Collaborative, innovation-driven culture working alongside a talented multidisciplinary team.
• - Comprehensive company pension and generous annual leave package.
• - Stable, fully on-site role based in Cardiff with minimal requirement for client travel.