Production Manager - Electronic Manufacturing Services

OSI Electronics; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

OSI Electronics in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, seeks a Production Manager to lead SMT, Conventional Assembly, Inspection and Test operations, driving performance, delivering commitments, and developing high-performing teams.

You will oversee all production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery while maintaining high quality and customer satisfaction, supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence across manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or manufacturing, or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading high-volume production and large teams.
• Understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, safety, and quality systems.
• Experience driving operational improvements with CI methodologies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems.
• Lean Six Sigma qualification or CI training.
• Experience within an EMS environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production across SMT, Conventional Assembly, Inspection, and Test.
• Ensure on-time delivery through planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Monitor performance, quality, and efficiency; address delays.
• Collaborate with Planning, Purchasing, Engineering and Stores for material flow.
• Manage labour, productivity, and costs; meet targets and budgets.
• Develop capacity plans and resource strategies for current and future demand.
• Lead and develop a large production workforce and foster continuous improvement.
• Build a flexible, multi-skilled workforce through training and succession planning.
• Set performance expectations and conduct regular reviews.
• Promote a positive environment, teamwork, and high performance.
• Drive Lean, CI, and Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, lead times, and cost.
• Support process improvements, standard work, and metrics.
• Champion data-driven decision making.
• Promote health and safety culture and compliance with HSE policies.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and escalate concerns.
• Adhere to Code of Ethics and Core Values.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Lean Six Sigma

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder mgmt

MS Office

Communication

Manufacturing systems

EMS experience

Education

Engineering degree

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.
• 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.

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.
• Demonstrate and promote adherence to the company Code of Ethics, Compliance Policies, and Core Values.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• 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.
• Lean Six Sigma qualification or formal Continuous Improvement training.
• Experience within an Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) environment.