Production Manager

Lear; Chilton Moor; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive supplier is seeking a Production Manager for its Sunderland site. This role involves leading the production operations, ensuring safety and quality standards while managing supervisors and shop-floor teams. Candidates should have experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing, a strong leadership background, and a solid understanding of Lean principles. This on-site position is key to achieving operational targets and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Production Manager or Senior Production Supervisor in automotive manufacturing.
• Solid understanding of Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong focus on safety and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations within the Sunderland automotive plant.
• Manage production supervisors and shop-floor teams.
• Deliver key operational KPIs across Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

Skills

Production management

Lean manufacturing

People leadership

Safety compliance

Job description

Lear For You

We work hard for the people who work for us. We champion our teams. We foster collaboration, inclusion, respect and excellence. What we are trying to say is we want to be more for you.

We are your path to a better career, a better future, and a better you.

Our teams have invented groundbreaking technologies, flawlessly manufactured millions of products and earned a long list of awards. Year after year, we are one of the World's Most Admired Companies.

Our teams are the secret to our success. They are empowered, inventive and inclusive. Passionate about their craft. Driven to succeed. Because we all understand that we must work together to win.

Are you ready for a better career? A better future?

We're Lear For You.

Location: Sunderland (Washington area), UK. Working model: On-site. Shift: Day shift. Reporting to: Operations Manager.

About Lear Corporation – Sunderland

Lear Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier of seating and electrical systems, with manufacturing operations in over 35 countries and more than 170,000 employees worldwide. The Sunderland site is a key UK manufacturing facility supplying major automotive customers including Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover with advanced seating components and systems. The plant plays an important role in the North East automotive hub, which benefits from close proximity to Nissan’s large vehicle manufacturing operations and broader supply‑chain network.

Role Mission

The Production Manager will lead and develop the Sunderland production operations, ensuring safe, efficient, high‑quality delivery for automotive customers. This role is crucial to achieving operational targets, supporting stable series production, and driving continuous improvement across the plant.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day production operations within the Sunderland automotive plant
• Manage and develop production supervisors and shop‑floor teams
• Deliver key operational KPIs across Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost
• Act as a visible, hands‑on leader on the shop floor
• Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental standards
• Support production stability, customer requirements and programme delivery
• Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Continuous Improvement and Maintenance teams

Required Experience and Skills

Essential

• Experience as a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or Senior Production Supervisor in automotive or high‑volume manufacturing
• Strong people leadership background in a plant‑based environment
• Solid understanding of Lean manufacturing and operational KPIs
• Strong safety focus and hands‑on leadership style

Desirable

• Experience supporting major OEM customers (e.g., Nissan, JLR)
• Automotive Tier 1 supplier experience
• Involvement in new product or programme launches