Due to continued growth and increasing project demand, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Production to join a fast-growing, technically advanced manufacturing business based in Poole. This is a senior leadership role, taking full ownership of production performance, delivery control and commercial output across a busy, project-led manufacturing environment.

The role acts as a key link between shopfloor operations, technical functions and senior leadership, ensuring clarity, structure and accountability across production delivery. The successful candidate will oversee multiple production disciplines across the manufacturing operation, including composites, fabrication, assembly and finishing. This is not a shopfloor supervisory position. It requires someone who can operate above day-to-day execution, bringing structure to production planning, programme control, labour allocation and delivery performance, while still maintaining enough technical understanding to challenge and support operational output. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, to budget and to the required quality standards, while driving continuous improvement across production systems, reporting and communication.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the production function across composites, fabrication, assembly and finishing operations

• Line manage the Production Manager and Production Assistant, providing clear structure, direction and accountability

• Ensure works orders and projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards • Own production planning, scheduling, labour allocation and overall production priorities

• Monitor project performance including labour hours, material usage, budgets and delivery progress

• Work closely with CAD, CAM, Quality, Procurement and Senior Management to ensure smooth project delivery

• Provide clear and consistent production reporting, including risks, delays, capacity constraints and corrective actions

• Support the development of robust production processes, systems and communication across departments

• Drive a culture of safety, quality, ownership and continuous improvement • Support the development of the existing Production Manager into a shopfloor focused leadership role CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS • Proven experience in production leadership or senior project/operations management within a manufacturing environment

• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, labour hours or project costs • Ability to lead managers and supervisors, not just direct shopfloor teams

• Strong planning, scheduling and resource management capability

• Confident in production reporting, performance tracking and operational administration

• Excellent communication skills across technical, operational and senior leadership teams • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, ideally within composites, advanced engineering or marine production environments

• Ability to bring structure, discipline and accountability into a production environment • Strong leadership presence with a constructive but firm approach to performance management

• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and delivery excellence DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Composites manufacturing • Marine manufacturing • Advanced engineering production environments

• Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement practices

ROLE IMPACT This is a key leadership appointment within a growing business, offering the opportunity to directly influence production performance, commercial delivery and operational maturity at a pivotal stage of development.

 

If this sounds like something you would be interested in then please call Sarah on 07502 163910 or hit apply

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