Production Manager

Ford & Stanley Select; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Job summary

Ford & Stanley Group is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead a 55-strong manufacturing team at Wolverton, Milton Keynes, on a permanent, site-based role. You will drive safe, on-time production, balance resource planning, and work with Engineering, Quality and Project teams to meet targets while fostering continuous improvement and a culture of operational excellence.

The role offers a 7:30am-3:30pm schedule, Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week, with a salary in the £55k–£63k range

Qualifications

• Experience as Production Manager or similar leadership role in manufacturing.
• Experience in heavy manufacturing environments (rail, automotive, aerospace) or regulated industries.
• Proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong production planning, scheduling and resource management.
• Good understanding of engineering and manufacturing processes.
• Focus on operational performance and continuous improvement.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Leadership qualification aimed toward Level 4 certificate or willingness.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Resilient and adaptable under competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a production workforce of approximately 55 employees.
• Ensure production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and in line with quality, cost and delivery requirements.
• Manage labour allocation, workforce utilisation and production resources to maximise operational efficiency.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring all activities comply with company procedures and industry standards.
• Monitor production performance, identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions where required.
• Drive operational improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality and overall business performance.
• Coach and develop employees, supporting skills development, succession planning and capability improvement.
• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Planning and Project teams to support successful programme delivery.
• Ensure products and services meet customer expectations and required quality standards throughout the production process.
• Proactively identify and resolve operational challenges, production constraints and resource issues.

Skills

Production management

Heavy manufacturing

People leadership

Production planning

Engineering awareness

Continuous improvement

Team development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Leadership Level 4

Job description

Production Manager | Wolverton | £55,000 - £63,000 | Permanent

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Production Manager to join a well-established engineering and manufacturing organisation operating within the UK rail sector.

You will play a key role in delivering a major rolling stock refurbishment programme, leading a workforce of approximately 55 employees alongside another Production Manager. Reporting to the Senior Production Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring production activities are delivered safely, efficiently, on time and to the required quality standards.

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of day-to-day production operations, balancing resource planning, labour utilisation, team development and operational performance. You will work closely with engineering, quality and project teams to ensure production targets are achieved whilst driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Production Manager Key Responsibilities

• Production Leadership: Lead, motivate and develop a production workforce of approximately 55 employees, ensuring high levels of engagement and performance.
• Operational Delivery: Ensure production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and in line with quality, cost and delivery requirements.
• Resource Planning: Manage labour allocation, workforce utilisation and production resources to maximise operational efficiency.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Promote and maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring all activities comply with company procedures and industry standards.
• Performance Management: Monitor production performance, identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions where required.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive operational improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality and overall business performance.
• Team Development: Coach and develop employees, supporting skills development, succession planning and capability improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Planning and Project teams to support successful programme delivery.
• Quality Management: Ensure products and services meet customer expectations and required quality standards throughout the production process.
• Problem Resolution: Proactively identify and resolve operational challenges, production constraints and resource issues.

Ideal Production Manager

• Production Management Experience: Previous experience as a Production Manager or within a similar manufacturing leadership position.
• Manufacturing Background: Experience gained within heavy manufacturing environments, such as rail, automotive, aerospace or similarly regulated industrial environments.
• People Leadership: Proven track record of leading, developing and managing high-performing teams.
• Production Planning Expertise: Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling and resource management.
• Engineering Awareness: Good understanding of engineering and manufacturing processes.
• Performance Driven: Demonstrates a strong focus on operational performance, continuous improvement and achieving results.
• Problem Solver: Able to make sound decisions quickly and effectively within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Leadership Qualification: Level 4 Certificate in Leadership & Management, or willingness to work towards achieving the qualification.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Resilient & Adaptable: Comfortable operating under pressure and managing competing priorities effectively.

Location & Working arrangements

Wolverton, Milton Keynes

Fully site-based role

Monday to Friday

37 hours per week

Typical working hours of 7:30am - 3:30pm (with a reduced 5 hour working day on Fridays)

Production Manager Salary

£55,000 - £63,000 per annum, dependant on experience

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floorto boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civilpartnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Ref: Production Manager