Production Manager

Thales Group; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Mentoring & development

Internal mobility

Flexible working

Wellbeing program

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Thales Group in Glasgow is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead a high‑performing manufacturing cell and drive world‑class manufacturing. You will own day‑to‑day operations, optimize processes, and develop a talented, engaged team to meet performance targets.

You’ll champion Health, Safety, and Environment, uphold quality standards, and push for continuous improvement through Lean methods. Working with cross‑functional teams, you’ll plan schedules, monitor KPIs, and foster an

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams in manufacturing or production.
• Strong understanding of HSE, quality standards, and KPIs.
• Passion for continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to inspire others.
• Proactive, solution-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture and oversee HSE activities.
• Ensure processes comply with standards and drive quality control.
• Plan and deliver work aligned to Master Production Schedule and customer needs.
• Monitor daily performance and drive continuous improvement with KPIs.
• Lead, coach and develop the team, including recruitment and training.

Skills

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

Operational KPIs

Communication skills

Proactive mindset

Job description

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Production Manager

Shape the Future of Manufacturing Excellence

At Thales, we innovate with purpose. We are looking for an experienced and driven Production Manager to lead a high-performing manufacturing cell in Glasgow. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering world-class solutions while inspiring and developing a talented team.

As an Activity Manager, you’ll take ownership of day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring performance targets are met, processes are optimised, and teams are empowered to succeed. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across your area.

What You'll Be Doing

Health, Safety & Environment

• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring the wellbeing of all team members.
• Lead all HSE activities including risk assessments, PPE compliance, training, and health surveillance.
• Encourage proactive hazard identification and reporting across the team.

Quality

• Ensure all processes comply with Thales standards and procedures (Chorus).
• Take ownership of quality control within your area.
• Work collaboratively in cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement.

Production & Performance

• Plan and deliver work schedules aligned to the Master Production Schedule and customer requirements.
• Monitor and report on daily performance, ensuring team engagement with KPIs.
• Promote and embed Lean principles and a culture of continuous improvement (CI).
• Escalate and resolve production issues, implementing corrective actions where needed.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, motivate, and develop your team to achieve excellence.
• Support training, cross‑skilling, and workforce planning to maximise flexibility.
• Manage day‑to‑day people matters including performance, absence, and shift planning.
• Drive an inclusive culture aligned to Thales' Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) values.
• Support recruitment and onboarding to meet operational needs.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong understanding of HSE, quality standards, and operational KPIs
• Passion for continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, and team development
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to inspire and influence
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset

What We Can Offer You

At Thales, we invest in you — your career, your development, and your wellbeing:

• Career Growth: Access to world‑class training, mentoring, and global career opportunities
• Development: Learn from industry‑leading experts and cutting‑edge projects
• Internal Mobility: We prioritise promoting from within our global organisation
• Flexible Working: Options including flexible start/finish times – 4 day week
• Wellbeing Focus: Supporting your health, lifestyle, and ambitions

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.

The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.

Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.