Lead Manufacturing Excellence in Defence & Rail Manufacturing
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Advanced Manufacturing Manager to lead our manufacturing operations and drive operational excellence across our business. This role is ideally suited to a manufacturing leader with experience in the Defence and/or Rail industries, where quality, compliance, precision, and on‐time delivery are critical to success.
The successful candidate will bring a strong background in production planning, process optimisation, quality management, and team leadership, along with hands‐on experience working with ERP systems to support manufacturing operations and business performance.
Key ResponsibilitiesProduction Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and implement production plans to meet customer demand and inventory targets.
- Create and manage production schedules, ensuring optimal resource utilisation and on‐time delivery.
- Monitor production performance and adjust plans to meet project milestones and customer requirements.
- Utilise ERP systems to support planning, scheduling, forecasting, and reporting activities.
Process Optimisation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate and improve manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives across the business.
- Standardise and document best‐practice manufacturing processes.
Quality Management & Compliance
- Establish and maintain rigorous quality control measures to ensure products meet or exceed industry standards.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Defence, Rail, and customer‐specific quality requirements.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Support regulatory, customer, and certification audits as required.
Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of manufacturing professionals.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and safety‐focused culture.
- Provide coaching, performance management, and development opportunities for team members.
- Encourage cross‐functional collaboration between engineering, quality, procurement, and operations teams.
Resource Management
- Manage production resources including equipment, materials, tooling, and personnel.
- Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to maintain a reliable and efficient supply chain.
- Optimise resource allocation to minimise downtime and maximise productivity.
Health, Safety & Risk Management
- Promote and enforce workplace health and safety standards.
- Conduct regular safety inspections, risk assessments, and training programs.
- Ensure compliance with all legislative, customer, and company safety requirements.
Budgeting & Cost Control
- Develop and manage manufacturing budgets in collaboration with Finance.
- Monitor operational performance and identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality or delivery.
- Track and report on key manufacturing KPIs.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Extensive experience in a Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, or similar leadership role.
- Proven experience within the Defence, Rail, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of ERP systems (Odoo, Proshop, or something similar) and their application within manufacturing operations.
- Demonstrated success in production planning, scheduling, quality management, and process improvement.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence methodologies.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving high performance.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‐solving skills.
- A strong understanding of quality systems, compliance requirements, and manufacturing best practices.
- Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
Why Join Us?
- Work with a growing organisation supporting critical Defence and Rail projects.
- Lead strategic manufacturing initiatives and influence operational performance.
- Join a collaborative team focused on innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Competitive salary package and career development opportunities.
- Make a tangible impact in a highly respected and technically advanced manufacturing environment.
