Site Operations Leader

Bridge Recruitment UK Ltd; Cramlington; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridge Recruitment UK Ltd is seeking a Site Operations Leader in Cramlington to drive production, quality, and on-time delivery. You will lead SMT, THT, and PCB assembly, manage shift handovers, and monitor KPIs with a strong focus on safety and cost control.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in electronics manufacturing, Lean leadership, and Industry 4.0 experience. You will mentor supervisors, collaborate with QA and Engineering, and drive continuous improvement initiatives with the COO.

Qualifications

• Experience leading electronics manufacturing operations with Lean principles.
• Strong track record in improving output, quality, and delivery performance.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive cost reductions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate SMT, THT, and PCB assembly operations to meet targets.
• Manage shop floor performance, resolve bottlenecks, minimize downtime.
• Lead Lean initiatives and drive continuous improvement projects.
• Mentor supervisors and coordinate with QA and Engineering.
• Monitor KPIs and provide data-driven reporting to COO.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Zero WIP

Six Sigma

ERP/MES systems

Cross-functional leadership

Problem-solving

Safety compliance

Data analysis

KPIs tracking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics or Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP/MES systems

Automation tools

Job description

Site Operations Leader

Location: Cramlington

Salary: GBP70,000 per year, plus 15% bonus

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 4.30pm. Fridays, 8am - 1pm.

Job type: Full-time, permanent

Bridge 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.