Production Manager

Syntech Recruitment Ltd; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established aerospace precision engineering manufacturer in Southend-on-Sea seeks a Production Manager to lead daily operations and manage a skilled shop floor team. The ideal candidate has significant experience in CNC machining and aerospace production management. You will oversee workload planning, quality KPIs, and team development. This role promises stability and growth within a modern facility dedicated to high-quality standards and innovative practices.

Benefits

Overtime available

16 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Pension plan

Health Cash Plan

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Shopping and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in shop floor/production management within aerospace or precision engineering.
• Strong hands-on background setting and running CNC machinery.
• Experience with sliding head and fixed head CNCs using Fanuc controls.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise, and delegate production workload on a daily basis.
• Lead, motivate, train, and develop the shop floor team.
• Manage attendance, holidays, sickness absence, and cover planning.

Skills

CNC machining

People management

Proactive problem solving

Quality systems knowledge

Production scheduling

Tools

Fanuc-controlled lathes

Sliding head CNC machines

Fixed head CNC machines

Job description

Production Manager

Location: 5 miles from Southend-on-Sea (commutable from Southend-on-Sea, Rayleigh, Hockley, Leigh-on-Sea, Basildon, Wickford, Canvey Island, Chelmsford)

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience) + benefits

Start Date: ASAP (notice periods considered)

This role would suit an experienced shop floor Production Manager or senior aerospace engineer comfortable leading from the front, with a strong background in CNC machining and people management within a precision manufacturing environment.

Syntech Recruitment is working with a well-established aerospace precision engineering manufacturer based near Southend On Sea Essex, part of a wider engineering group supplying safety-critical components into the aerospace sector. This is a key leadership role within a modern machining facility, offering long-term stability, autonomy, and the opportunity to shape production performance.

As a Production Manager, you’ll be responsible for coordinating daily production activity, managing workload and job flow, and leading a skilled shop floor team to deliver quality, on-time output.

Production Manager Benefits

• Salary up to £45,000 depending on experience
• Monday–Thursday working week (06:45–16:30) – 37 hours
• Overtime available
• 16 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
• Pension plan
• Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Shopping and lifestyle discounts
• Stable, profitable aerospace manufacturer with continued growth plans

Production Manager Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritise, and delegate production workload on a daily basis
• Coordinate job running, update load lists, and manage production working order
• Lead, motivate, train, and develop the shop floor team
• Manage attendance, holidays, sickness absence, and cover planning
• Set and run machinery where required, including:
  • Sliding and fixed head CNC machines
  • Fanuc‐controlled lathes
  • Drilling and tapping operations
• Carry out first‑off and job‑run inspections of machined components
• Monitor and report on monthly production KPIs (OTD, arrears, quality, profitability)
• Manage tooling requirements and liaise with tooling representatives
• Oversee machine maintenance and action production‑related issues
• Support recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding of new team members
• Drive continuous improvement and promote a “right first time” culture
• Work closely with the General Manager and Operations leadership

Production Manager Requirements

• Proven experience in shop floor/production management within aerospace or precision engineering
• Strong hands‑on background setting and running CNC machinery
• Experience with sliding head and fixed head CNCs using Fanuc controls
• Confident coordinating workload, production schedules, and priorities
• Strong people management skills with the ability to motivate and train teams
• Good understanding of quality systems, KPIs, and manufacturing best practice
• Proactive, organised, and solutions‑focused approach

Simply apply today to speak with one of our consultants.

All candidates must have full right to work in the UK. No sponsorship is available for this role.