Manufacturing Leader

Manufacturing Leader Newcastle To £60,000 + Annual Performance Bonus The Opportunity We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Manufacturing Leader to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across our manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Manufacturing Manager, this role is a key leadership position responsible for enhancing manufacturing performance, increasing productivity, improving efficiency, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout the business. Acting as the link between strategic objectives and shop-floor execution, you will champion operational improvement initiatives, optimise resources, and lead teams to deliver sustainable business results. This is an opportunity for a proactive leader who enjoys identifying opportunities, solving complex operational challenges, and implementing meaningful improvements that have a measurable impact on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction. Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production activities.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through the application of Lean manufacturing principles, structured problem-solving, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Identify, lead and deliver improvement projects focused on productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, process optimisation, labour utilisation, and overall business performance.
• Analyse operational data and KPIs to identify trends, performance gaps and improvement opportunities, implementing corrective and preventative actions where required.
• Translate business and manufacturing objectives into clear operational plans, ensuring resources are aligned to achieve delivery, quality and cost targets.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Purchasing and Supply Chain teams to enhance end-to-end operational performance.
• Champion standardisation, best practice and process discipline across manufacturing activities, ensuring sustainable improvements are embedded within the organisation.
• Act as the primary escalation point for operational challenges, removing barriers and driving timely resolution of issues impacting performance.
• Develop, coach and support manufacturing teams, building engagement, accountability and a high-performance culture.
• Promote excellence in health, safety, quality and compliance, ensuring robust processes and continuous improvement of operational standards.
• Support strategic manufacturing initiatives, capital investment projects and business transformation activities as required. Experience & Qualifications
• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or a related discipline, or significant relevant leadership experience.
• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing, engineering, heavy industrial or metal processing environment.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering continuous improvement, operational excellence or business improvement programmes with measurable results.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, waste reduction, process optimisation and performance management techniques.
• Experience leading change initiatives and successfully embedding new processes, standards and ways of working.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and use insights to drive decision-making and improvement activity.
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of how manufacturing performance impacts wider business objectives.
• Experience operating within structured quality management systems and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to engage, influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent people leadership, coaching and employee development skills.
• Strong digital capability including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and manufacturing performance reporting systems. What We Offer
• A key leadership role with significant influence over operational performance and business improvement activities.
• The opportunity to shape and drive a culture of continuous improvement across a highly specialised manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies supporting critical global industries.
• A collaborative and supportive culture focused on innovation, operational excellence and employee development.
• Career progression opportunities within a growing international engineering and manufacturing group.
• Annual performance bonus linked to business and operational success. About You You are a forward-thinking manufacturing professional who thrives on improving processes, developing people, and delivering tangible business results. You combine strong operational leadership with a passion for continuous improvement and are motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on manufacturing performance and organisational growth.