Production Manager

OSI Electronics; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

OSI Electronics, UK, based in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead SMT, Conventional Assembly, Inspection and Test operations. This senior role drives operational performance, meets customer commitments, and develops high-performing teams to support growth.

You will oversee production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery while maintaining the highest quality and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in an engineering, manufacturing, or related discipline, or equivalent experience within electronics and/or electro-mechanical manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience leading high-volume production or manufacturing operations and managing large teams.
• Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, production planning, quality systems, and health & safety requirements.
• Demonstrated experience driving operational improvements and implementing continuous improvement methodologies.
• Effective leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a results-driven approach.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing-related systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day production activities across SMT, Conventional Assembly, Inspection, and Test departments.
• Ensure customer delivery requirements are achieved through effective planning, scheduling, and execution of production activities.
• Monitor production performance, output, quality, and efficiency, taking proactive action to address issues and minimise delays.
• Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, Engineering, and Stores teams to ensure material availability and smooth production flow.
• Manage labour utilisation, productivity, and operational costs in line with agreed targets and budgets.
• Develop capacity plans and resource strategies to support current and future business demands.
• Lead, coach, and develop a large production workforce, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain a flexible, multi-skilled workforce through effective training and succession planning.
• Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance reviews with direct reports.
• Promote a positive working environment that supports employee development, teamwork, and high performance.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives across the production function.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, lead times, and cost effectiveness.
• Support the implementation and sustainability of process improvements, standard work practices, and performance metrics.
• Champion a culture of problem-solving and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure all production activities comply with company procedures, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with all HSE policies and legislation.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and ensure timely escalation and resolution of production or quality concerns.

Skills

High-volume production leadership

Manufacturing operations management

Electronics manufacturing expertise

Lean manufacturing

Leadership and coaching

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

MS Office & manufacturing systems

Education

Degree in engineering/manufacturing or related

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

OSI Electronics, UK is based in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. From design, prototype, and PCB assembly to volume box builds, we make electronic products for UK and overseas markets. Being electronics specialists, we provide the highest quality, reliability, on-time delivery, and customer support in UK electronics manufacturing. We focus on end-to-end electronic device manufacturing, customisable to meet the individual requirements of UK and International companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Production Manager to lead our SMT, Conventional Assembly, Inspection, and Test operations. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving operational performance, delivering customer commitments, developing high-performing teams, and supporting the continued growth of the business. You will oversee all production activities to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of products while maintaining the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will play a critical role in continuous improvement initiatives, workforce development, and operational excellence across the manufacturing function.

Production & Operational Management

• Lead and manage day-to-day production activities across SMT, Conventional Assembly, Inspection, and Test departments.
• Ensure customer delivery requirements are achieved through effective planning, scheduling, and execution of production activities.
• Monitor production performance, output, quality, and efficiency, taking proactive action to address issues and minimise delays.
• Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, Engineering, and Stores teams to ensure material availability and smooth production flow.
• Manage labour utilisation, productivity, and operational costs in line with agreed targets and budgets.
• Develop capacity plans and resource strategies to support current and future business demands.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a large production workforce, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain a flexible, multi-skilled workforce through effective training and succession planning.
• Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance reviews with direct reports.
• Promote a positive working environment that supports employee development, teamwork, and high performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives across the production function.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, lead times, and cost effectiveness.
• Support the implementation and sustainability of process improvements, standard work practices, and performance metrics.
• Champion a culture of problem-solving and data-driven decision-making.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all production activities comply with company procedures, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with all HSE policies and legislation.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and ensure timely escalation and resolution of production or quality concerns.

  Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  Essential

  • Degree qualified in an engineering, manufacturing, or related discipline, or equivalent experience within electronics and/or electro-mechanical manufacturing environments.
  • Proven experience leading high-volume production or manufacturing operations and managing large teams.
  • Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, production planning, quality systems, and health & safety requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience driving operational improvements and implementing continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Effective leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a results-driven approach.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing-related systems.

  Desirable

  • Lean Six Sigma qualification or formal Continuous Improvement training.
  • Experience within an Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) environment.
  • Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and production performance reporting tools.

  What Success Looks Like

  • Deliver customer orders safely, on time, and to the required quality standards.
  • Drive improvements in productivity, efficiency, and operational performance.
  • Develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
  • Create a culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
  • Contribute to the ongoing growth and success of OSI Electronics UK.

  Company Values

  Integrity

  Innovation

  Accountability

  Teamwork

  All employees are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to these values and operate in accordance with our Code of Ethics and Conduct.