Head of Production & Operations - Bespoke Engineering-Led Manufacturing

RR; Connacht; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

RR in Co. Galway, Ireland is seeking an engineering-led Production & Operations Manager to oversee the complete production operation, coordinating fabrication, assembly and integration from design to delivery.

You will balance hands-on engineering with strategic leadership, drive continuous improvement, and mentor technicians and engineers while maintaining high quality, safety and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• Around 5+ years' experience in production or manufacturing leadership.
• Experience leading technical teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of fabrication, mechanical assembly or bespoke manufacturing.
• Comfortable interpreting technical drawings and CAD-based manufacturing information.
• Organised with excellent planning and communication skills.
• Passionate about improving manufacturing performance through Lean principles.
• Enjoys developing people and creating high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Leading end-to-end production operations from project intake through to final completion.
• Planning and coordinating production schedules across fabrication, assembly and integration.
• Leading and developing technicians, fabricators, electricians and production teams.
• Driving Lean Manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement across the factory.
• Monitoring quality throughout production and approving completed builds.
• Working closely with engineering, purchasing and project teams to ensure materials and components are available.
• Improving production workflows, reducing waste and increasing operational efficiency.
• Maintaining high Health & Safety standards across all manufacturing activities.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Manufacturing

Production Leadership

Fabrication

Lean Manufacturing

Assembly Operations

Continuous Improvement

Engineering Management

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Degree in Product Design

Tools

CAD

ERP systems

Job description

Production Leadership | Specialist Manufacturing | Engineering Excellence | Your Next Leadership Step

Ready to take the next major step in your engineering career?

Perhaps you've progressed from Mechanical Engineer into Production or Manufacturing Management and are now looking for the opportunity to lead an entire operation.

Maybe you're ready for broader responsibility but keep coming across roles asking for years of Head of Operations experience.

If that sounds familiar, we'd love to hear from you.

We're a specialist engineering manufacturer producing highly bespoke products that operate in demanding, real-world environments where quality, reliability and craftsmanship are everything.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for an engineering-led Production & Operations Manager with the technical expertise, leadership ability and ambition to step into a senior operational role.

This isn't about hiring someone who's already reached the top of their career.

It's about finding an exceptional engineer who's ready for their next challenge.

The Role at a Glance:

Head of Production & Operations

Co. Galway, Ireland

Full Time - Permanent

Sector: Specialist Engineering Manufacturing

Culture: Hands-On | Quality Driven | Collaborative | Continuous Improvement

Your Background / Skills: Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Production Leadership, Fabrication, Lean Manufacturing, Assembly Operations, Continuous Improvement, Engineering Management

Welcome

We're a specialist manufacturer producing complex, bespoke engineered products designed to perform in demanding environments.

Every project is different.

Our work combines fabrication, mechanical assembly, electrical integration and precision manufacturing to create highly customised solutions for our customers.

Quality sits at the centre of everything we do.

As demand continues to grow, we're investing in our production capability and looking for someone who can help lead the next stage of that journey.

Where You'll Make an Impact

This is a role for someone who enjoys solving engineering challenges just as much as leading people.

You’ll oversee the complete production operation, working closely with engineering, fabrication, purchasing and assembly teams to ensure projects move efficiently from design through to final delivery.

While you’ll lead the production function, you’ll remain close to the engineering.

You’ll be visible on the shop floor, supporting your teams, improving processes and helping deliver technically challenging projects to exceptionally high standards.

You’ll play an important role in shaping production planning, developing people, driving continuous improvement and ensuring every build leaves the factory to the highest possible standard.

If you’re looking for your first opportunity to lead an entire manufacturing operation, this role offers genuine responsibility, autonomy and room to grow.

What Your Day Might Look Like:

• Leading end-to-end production operations from project intake through to final completion
• Planning and coordinating production schedules across fabrication, assembly and integration
• Leading and developing technicians, fabricators, electricians and production teams
• Driving Lean Manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement across the factory
• Monitoring quality throughout production and approving completed builds
• Working closely with engineering, purchasing and project teams to ensure materials and components are available
• Improving production workflows, reducing waste and increasing operational efficiency
• Maintaining high Health & Safety standards across all manufacturing activities
• Monitoring labour, material usage and operational costs to improve overall performance
• Supporting project planning, production reviews and customer delivery requirements

About You

You’re first and foremost an engineer.

You’ve built your career within manufacturing and naturally taken on increasing responsibility for people, production and continuous improvement.

Now you’re looking for the opportunity to take that next step.

You'll probably recognise yourself in much of the following:

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design or a related discipline
• Around 5+ years' experience within production or manufacturing leadership
• Experience leading technical teams within an engineering or manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of fabrication, mechanical assembly or bespoke manufacturing
• Comfortable interpreting technical drawings and working with CAD-based manufacturing information
• Naturally organised with excellent planning and communication skills
• Passionate about improving manufacturing performance through process improvement and Lean principles
• Enjoy developing people and creating high-performing teams
• Comfortable balancing hand‑on engineering with operational leadership

This Role Is Perfect For Someone Who...

• Has progressed through engineering into production leadership
• Is looking for their first senior operational leadership opportunity
• Still enjoys being close to manufacturing rather than sitting behind a desk
• Wants to lead people while continuing to solve engineering challenges
• Enjoys improving processes, developing teams and delivering high-quality bespoke products
• Is ambitious, committed and looking for a business where they can continue to grow their career
• Fabrication or heavy manufacturing
• ERP systems and BOM management
• Low‑volume, high‑complexity manufacturing

Why Join Us?

• Take the next step into senior manufacturing leadership
• Lead complex engineering projects from concept through to completion
• Join a growing specialist manufacturer where your ideas will genuinely influence the business
• Work alongside experienced engineering professionals in a collaborative environment
• Continue developing your leadership capability while remaining close to the engineering
• Competitive salary with genuine long-term career progression opportunities

Production leadership doesn't often give you the opportunity to oversee bespoke engineering projects from concept through to completion.

Here, every schedule you manage, every process you improve and every team you develop contributes to products that must perform reliably in demanding environments.

If you're an ambitious engineer who's ready to step into broader operational leadership while staying connected to the engineering you enjoy, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Experience / Background / Previous Roles May Include:

Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Engineering Manager, Production Engineering Manager, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Continuous Improvement Manager, Operations Manager, Production Supervisor, Fabrication Manager, Assembly Manager.

If you’re ready to take ownership of production in a company where quality, precision and delivery matter, we’d love to hear from you.