Purpose of the Role
Lead Client's internal supply chain operations, including manufacturing of composites and furniture, to ensure delivery is on time, in full, to the required quality. Drive performance across production, safety, cost control, and team development.
Key Responsibilities
Factory Leadership: Oversee production sites to meet targets for delivery, quality, cost, safety, and team morale.
Health & Safety (HSE): Improve and maintain safety standards through KPIs and regular audits.
Team Leadership: Foster a strong, motivated team using a "One " approach. Set and deliver objectives aligned to business goals.
Production Management: Manage processes, staffing, equipment schedules, and delivery timelines, including S&OP and warranty needs.
Budget Management: Lead factory budgets, ensuring accurate forecasting and control. Drive efficiency through planning and cost accountability.
Process Improvement: Work with design and engineering teams to implement technology upgrades and cost-saving changes.
Make vs Buy Strategy: Decide which items are better manufactured in-house or outsourced. Manage supplier selection and investment cases.
Workforce Planning: Develop future talent pipelines (trainees/apprentices), create succession plans, and nurture leadership potential.
Continuous Improvement: Challenge current methods to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and deliver better service internally and externally.
Required Experience & Qualifications
Proven experience leading factory operations for engineered or bespoke products, ideally with P&L responsibility.
Understanding of ERP systems (ideally SAP).
Skilled in process improvement methodologies like TPM, SMED, PDCA, etc.
Experience with outsourcing and supplier/vendor management.
Background in managing custom, high-specification, regulated products.
Strong change management expertise.
Key Competencies
Commercial Awareness: Strong customer and financial focus.
Leadership: Skilled at motivating teams, navigating people issues, and managing complex situations.
Quality Focus: Analytical and committed to continuous improvement.
Teamwork: Leads by example, understands team dynamics, and promotes a culture of accountability.
Influence & Initiative: Goal-oriented, adaptable, and persistent.
Performance Measures
Quality: Meets agreed specifications, reduces waste/defects year-on-year.
Cost: Stays within budget and meets cost reduction goals.
Delivery: Achieves internal On-Time In-Full To Quality (OTIFTQ) targets.
Safety: Tracks and reduces incidents, near misses, and safety observations.
People: Monitors absence rates and implements training/development plans.