Position
Head of Manufacturing Process and Systems – Aberdeen or Inchinnan, Glasgow
Role Overview
This high-impact role focuses on improving manufacturing across JFD. You will drive operational change, translate priorities into actions, and ensure improvements are embedded rather than lost in day-to-day firefighting. Working across manufacturing, supply chain, production, planning, engineering, quality, technical services and business operations, you will improve performance, stability, efficiency and delivery confidence, enabling functional leaders to focus on strategy and running their operations. The role combines longer-term improvement with hands‑on delivery in a fast‑paced, regulated environment and may require some domestic and international travel.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the operational improvement agenda across all relevant functions.
- Lead the development of global manufacturing strategies including complex global product manufacturing plans.
- Support the Operations Director by leading operations strategy development to support business growth and the wider strategic plan.
- Identify, prioritise and implement high-value improvement opportunities aligned to business and operational goals.
- Ensure improvement actions are governed, resourced, tracked and delivered through to sustained adoption.
- Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, lead time, cost and inventory.
- Work with functional heads to address systemic issues, bottlenecks, waste and recurring failure demand.
- Establish clear improvement plans, reporting and performance measures for the Operations Director.
- Support the move from reactive firefighting to more stable, controlled and repeatable ways of working as part of the wider JFD system.
- Align with the IMS and ERP Transformation project which will run in parallel.
- Build improvement capability and discipline across operational teams and leaders.
Qualifications
- Strong breadth of knowledge across manufacturing and operational functions.
- Proven track record of delivering measurable improvement across complex operational environments.
- Experience in manufacturing improvement, operational excellence, transformation or similar leadership roles.
- Experience of working in a highly regulated industry.
- Strong understanding of continuous improvement, lean principles, process improvement and performance management.
- Able to diagnose root causes, prioritise effectively and convert improvement opportunities into practical action.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior level and work effectively across functions.
- Strong data and performance literacy, using metrics to identify issues, track progress and measure impact.
- Experience of implementing and embedding change in delivery-focused environments.
Benefits
- Early finish on Fridays.
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work scheme, Company Pension, etc.).
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions.
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations.
About the Company
James Fisher (JFD) is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting‑edge diving, submarine rescue and hyperbaric solutions across commercial and defence markets worldwide.
EEO Statement
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and dedication of our workforce.
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