Production Manager

Matchtech; Southampton; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Production Manager for a military-focused manufacturing operation in the UK. You will lead production teams, deliver on-time performance, and drive safety, quality and continuous improvement across the shop floor.

The role emphasises strong leadership, stakeholder management, and a track record of improving production metrics in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing supervisory or management role.
• Strong understanding of production, inventory control and manufacturing operations.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop production teams, coaching and career development.
• Deliver production plans safely, on time and to quality standards; drive OT start/finish.
• Lead continuous improvement and waste reduction initiatives; ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Communicate objectives and performance; work with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and improve delivery.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

IT skills (Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Production Manager - Military

Department: Military
Shift: Early Shift (Mon-Thu 06:00-14:15 | Fri 06:00-12:00)
Reports To: Senior Production Manager

Security & Eligibility

BPSS clearance is required for this role and must be maintained throughout employment. Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain this clearance.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Shop Floor Manager to lead and develop production teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You'll be responsible for delivering production plans, driving On Time Start (OTS) and On Time Finish (OTF) performance, reducing production delays, and creating a culture focused on safety, quality and continuous improvement.

This is a great opportunity for a proven manufacturing leader to make a real impact within a complex, high-performance production operation.

What You'll Be Doing

Leading People

• Lead, motivate and develop production teams
• Support coaching, training and career development
• Drive engagement, attendance and team performance
• Promote a positive, safety-first culture

Driving Production Performance

• Deliver production plans safely, on time and to quality standards
• Maximise efficiency, productivity and resource utilisation
• Monitor performance against production targets and budgets
• Identify and resolve operational challenges
• Support other Production Managers when required

Quality, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with all quality, safety and environmental standards
• Maintain high housekeeping and operational standards
• Lead continuous improvement and waste reduction initiatives
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions
• Analyse production data to drive performance improvements

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Lead team briefings and operational reviews
• Communicate business objectives and performance expectations
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and improve delivery
• Act as the key link between employees and management

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Experience in a manufacturing supervisory or management role
• Strong understanding of production, inventory control and manufacturing operations
• Excellent leadership and people management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Desirable

• Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience
• Experience within aerospace, defence or another regulated manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of compliance, quality and operational performance management
• Experience managing budgets and production costs

What We're Looking For

• Results-driven mindset
• Strong leadership and coaching skills
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities
• Commercial awareness
• Ability to influence and motivate others
• Collaborative and proactive approach
• Focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a high-performing team within a complex manufacturing environment, driving operational excellence, developing people, and delivering critical production objectives.