Program Director

Morgan Ryder; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Ryder is seeking a senior leader to oversee M&A integration, manufacturing transfers and operational transformation. You will lead complex programmes across sites, aligning manufacturing, engineering, quality and supply chain with the group strategy.

The role requires hands-on leadership in fast-growth environments, with proven experience in transferring production between facilities and consolidating sites. Automotive, aerospace or other complex engineered settings are highly relevant.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex transformation and integration programmes in manufacturing.
• Exposure to manufacturing transfers, site consolidation or transfer of capabilities between facilities.
• Understanding of operational, engineering, quality and supply chain considerations in transfer of production.
• Experience across multiple manufacturing sites coordinating cross-functional programmes.
• Ability to establish structure, governance and accountability during rapid growth.
• Hands-on, pragmatic leadership without relying on a large corporate infrastructure.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, defence or other complex engineered manufacturing environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of acquired businesses, aligning operational, commercial, financial and organisational activities with the wider group.
• Develop and execute post-acquisition integration plans with milestones and accountability.
• Drive the transfer of manufacturing works, production capabilities and processes between sites.
• Coordinate relocation and capability transfer programmes with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Manage complexity of transferring production within highly engineered environments.
• Ensure transfers are delivered with continuity, quality and financial performance.
• Identify opportunities to optimise the manufacturing footprint and capacity utilisation.
• Establish governance, risk management and performance tracking for successful execution.
• Support infrastructure and capability development for future acquisitions and expansion.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Manufacturing integration

Programme governance

Risk management

Job description

M&A Integration, Manufacturing Transfers & Operational Transformation

A central element of this role will be supporting the organisation's accelerated growth through the successful integration of acquisitions and the strategic development of its manufacturing footprint.

The Director will take ownership of complex integration and manufacturing transfer programmes, ensuring that acquired businesses, production capabilities and operational activities are integrated effectively, with minimal disruption and a clear focus on business performance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the integration of newly acquired businesses, aligning operational, commercial, financial and organisational activities with the wider group.
• Developing and executing post-acquisition integration plans, establishing clear milestones, accountabilities and performance measures.
• Driving the transfer of manufacturing works, production capabilities, processes and activities between sites.
• Coordinating manufacturing relocation and capability transfer programmes, working closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Managing the complexity of transferring production within highly engineered and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Ensuring that manufacturing transfers are delivered in a structured and controlled manner, with appropriate consideration of operational continuity, quality, customer requirements and financial performance.
• Identifying and delivering opportunities to optimise the manufacturing footprint, improve capacity utilisation and strengthen operational efficiency.
• Establishing robust programme governance, risk management and performance tracking to ensure successful execution.
• Supporting the development of the infrastructure, processes and capabilities required to manage future acquisitions and manufacturing expansion.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will bring experience of leading complex transformation and integration programmes within a manufacturing environment.

We are particularly interested in individuals who have:

• Experience integrating acquired businesses within a manufacturing or industrial organisation.
• Direct exposure to manufacturing transfers, production relocation, site consolidation or the transfer of manufacturing capabilities between facilities.
• An understanding of the operational, engineering, quality and supply chain considerations involved in transferring production.
• Experience working across multiple manufacturing sites and coordinating complex, cross-functional programmes.
• The ability to establish structure, governance and accountability in an organisation undergoing rapid growth.
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach, with the confidence to lead complex initiatives without relying on the infrastructure of a large corporate environment.

Experience gained within automotive manufacturing, aerospace and defence, or other complex engineered manufacturing environments would be particularly relevant.