Production Manager (Nights)

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Leicester; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd in Leicester is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead the night-shift manufacturing operations in CNC machining, with a focus on CNC milling.

You will drive production performance, develop teams, ensure safety, quality and on-time delivery, and collaborate with engineering, maintenance and quality colleagues to resolve issues. This hands-on role requires a proactive leader who can balance output with standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Production Manager or similar in engineering or precision machining.
• Strong CNC milling knowledge and experience.
• Experience leading production teams in fast-paced manufacturing.
• Track record of achieving production targets and improving productivity.
• Knowledge of KPIs and manufacturing performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee night-shift production to hit targets and delivery schedules.
• Lead CNC machinists, setters and operators and motivate teams.
• Ensure CNC milling operations run efficiently and on schedule.
• Monitor OEE, downtime, and scrap to improve performance.
• Coordinate with engineering and maintenance to resolve issues.
• Ensure safety, housekeeping and adherence to procedures.

Skills

CNC milling

Team leadership

Lean Manufacturing

5S

Health & safety

Production planning

Job description

Production Manager - Nights

Location: Leicester

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Shift: Permanent Night Shift (specific hours to be confirmed)

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Production Manager to take ownership of night-shift manufacturing operations within an established engineering and precision machining business.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on manufacturing leader with a background in CNC machining, particularly CNC milling, who can drive production performance, develop teams and ensure manufacturing targets are consistently achieved.

You will be responsible for overseeing the night-shift operation, ensuring production runs safely and efficiently while maintaining the quality standards and delivery commitments expected by customers.

The successful candidate will have a good technical understanding of CNC machining environments and the ability to lead from the front, supporting operators, resolving production challenges and driving continuous improvement.

The Role

Reporting to the senior operations team, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of night-shift production, ensuring resources, machinery and personnel are effectively utilised.

You will work closely with the day-shift management team to ensure a smooth handover, maintain operational continuity and communicate any production issues or priorities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the night-shift manufacturing operation, ensuring production targets, quality standards and delivery schedules are achieved.
• Lead, manage and motivate production teams, including CNC machinists, setters and operators.
• Oversee CNC milling operations, ensuring machines are running efficiently and production schedules are maintained.
• Monitor machine utilisation, productivity, downtime, scrap levels and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Work closely with CNC operators and setters to resolve machining issues and minimise production interruptions.
• Ensure production plans are followed and resources are allocated effectively across the shift.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve cycle times, productivity and manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, housekeeping and workplace organisation.
• Investigate production and quality issues, implementing appropriate corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure accurate shift handovers, communicating production progress, outstanding work and operational concerns to the day-shift management team.
• Work alongside engineering, quality and maintenance departments to resolve technical issues and maintain machine availability.
• Monitor employee performance, attendance, training requirements and development.
• Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with company procedures and customer quality requirements.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous experience in a Production Manager, Production Supervisor or Manufacturing Manager position within an engineering or precision machining environment.
• Previous experience working within a CNC machining environment, with a good understanding of CNC milling operations.
• Good knowledge of CNC milling machines, machining processes, tooling and production methods.
• Experience managing production teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• A proven ability to achieve production targets, improve productivity and manage operational performance.
• Experience working with production schedules, KPIs and manufacturing performance metrics.
• The ability to identify and resolve manufacturing issues, working closely with engineering and maintenance teams.
• Knowledge of quality procedures and manufacturing standards, ideally within an automotive or precision engineering environment.
• Experience driving continuous improvement activities, such as Lean Manufacturing, 5S and waste reduction.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to engage and motivate a permanent night-shift team.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach to managing production operations.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in individuals who have progressed through CNC machining or manufacturing engineering before moving into production leadership.

You will understand the practical challenges of running a machine shop, be comfortable speaking with CNC machinists about technical issues and know how to balance production output with quality, efficiency and safety.

Previous experience managing a permanent night shift would be advantageous, although candidates with strong production management experience on alternative shifts will also be considered.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join an established engineering group with a strong reputation in precision machining and component manufacturing, taking ownership of an important production function and making a genuine impact on operational performance.