Site Operations Lead

EA Recruitment; Cramlington; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% annual bonus

Job summary

EA Recruitment Pte. Ltd. is seeking a Site Operations Leader in Cramlington to drive production performance and continuous improvement across SMT, THT, and PCB assembly lines.

The role focuses on delivering lean manufacturing outcomes, managing budgets, and leading cross-functional teams to meet safety, quality, and delivery targets. You will oversee daily production, implement Industry 4.0 initiatives, and mentor supervisors, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision making and cost

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in electronics manufacturing with 5+ years in production leadership.
• Strong knowledge of SMT, THT, PCB assembly processes and equipment.
• Proven Lean Manufacturing and Zero WIP implementation experience.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily SMT, THT, and assembly operations to meet targets.
• Manage shop floor performance and minimize downtime.
• Maintain production flow with zero WIP and effective handovers.
• Lead Lean initiatives (5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Value Stream Mapping).
• Deliver data-driven improvements and cost reductions.
• Provide technical leadership across SMT, THT, AOI, ICT, and testing.
• Drive Industry 4.0, automation, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Mentor supervisors, line leaders, and operators.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics or Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP/MES systems

Industry 4.0 technologies

Job description

Site Operations Leader

Location: Cramlington

Salary: GBP65,000 to 75,000 per year, plus 10% bonus

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.30pm. Fridays, 8am - 1pm.

Job type: Full-time, permanent

EA Recruitment is helping one of our established clients recruit an experienced Site Operations Leader to join their ever-expanding team.

Responsibilities of the Site Operations Leader

• Coordinate daily SMT, THT, and assembly operations to meet production, quality, and delivery targets.
• Manage shop floor performance, resolving bottlenecks and minimizing downtime.
• Maintain production flow, zero WIP, and effective shift handovers.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, procedures, and company policies.
• Lead Lean initiatives using 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Drive continuous improvement and root cause analysis.
• Promote a culture of quality and compliance with IPC and internal standards.
• Partner with QA and Engineering to resolve product and process issues.
• Provide technical leadership across SMT, THT, soldering, AOI, ICT, and functional testing.
• Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and process optimization to improve yield and reduce downtime.
• Drive equipment upgrades, automation, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Mentor technical teams and coordinate with equipment suppliers on commissioning and improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, line leaders, and operators.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Implement Industry 4.0 technologies to improve connectivity, efficiency, and traceability.
• Leverage real-time data, predictive maintenance, and advanced analytics.
• Collaborate across functions to embed digital manufacturing practices.
• Manage production budgets, control costs, and support capital investment decisions.
• Track KPIs and provide data-driven reporting to support operational improvements.
• Build a high-performing production team and execute long-term operational strategies with the COO.
• Promote our clients core values and Code of Ethics.

Requirements of the Site Operations Leader

• Bachelors degree in Electronics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a production leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of SMT, THT, and PCB assembly processes and equipment.
• Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Zero WIP practices.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing KPIs.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and complex industrial projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Six Sigma certification or Lean Manufacturing certification.
• Experience in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume electronics manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0, automation, and digital manufacturing technologies.