Production ManagerKetteringHours – Monday to Friday 37.5 hrsSalary up to £50k plus great benefits
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded Production Manager to join a highly respected engineering and manufacturing organisation based in Kettering. Operating within a specialist low-volume, high-value manufacturing environment, the business designs, manufactures, and supplies advanced technical equipment to customers across global markets.
This role is ideally suited to a strong operational leader with an engineering background who enjoys balancing technical, commercial, and people responsibilities within a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
The Opportunity
The Production Manager will take responsibility for the end-to-end coordination and delivery of manufacturing and operational activities across multiple departments. Working closely with senior leadership, the successful candidate will oversee planning, production, engineering coordination, service delivery, warehousing, buying, and quality processes to ensure operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
This is a highly visible leadership role with significant scope to influence operational strategy, improve efficiency, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the division.
The role requires a hands-on and proactive leader capable of driving accountability, supporting continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams while maintaining a strong customer and commercial focus.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Delivery & Production PlanningLead and coordinate operational delivery from order acceptance through to production, shipment, installation, commissioning, and aftersales supportEnsure production schedules, resource planning, and capacity management are aligned with customer delivery expectationsDevelop and improve integrated planning processes across engineering, production, servicing, buying, and warehousing functionsIdentify operational risks, bottlenecks, and delivery challenges proactively and implement effective solutionsEnsure accurate tracking and visibility of production priorities, workflow, and timelinesProduction, Engineering & Service OversightProvide leadership and support to team leaders and technical departments across:Mechanical designElectrical designSoftware/Firmware coordinationMechanical assembly and productionElectrical production and calibrationCommissioning and testingTechnical service and supportWarehousing and fulfilmentEnsure all production and calibration activities are completed in line with established quality standards, operational procedures, and compliance requirementsSupport cross-functional collaboration between departments to improve communication and operational efficiencyDrive accountability for production quality, defect reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actionsOversee service and technical support operations to ensure customer issues are resolved effectively and professionallyCommercial & Financial AwarenessSupport the achievement of operational and financial objectives through effective planning and resource managementWork collaboratively with sales, logistics, and senior leadership teams to balance customer expectations with operational capability and profitabilityIdentify opportunities to reduce operational inefficiencies and cost leakage through:Improved planningSupplier feedbackInternal manufacture vs subcontract decisionsEnhanced service charging clarityContribute operational insight to wider commercial and strategic business decisionsDevelop greater visibility of margin performance and operational impact on profitabilityCustomer Engagement & Business SupportSupport customer satisfaction by ensuring operational delivery commitments are consistently achievedWork closely with commercial teams to resolve technical or operational customer concerns quickly and effectivelyContribute technical and operational input into product positioning, service offerings, marketing materials, and business development activitiesSupport the development of aftermarket opportunities including training, upgrades, servicing, and technical support packagesLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop operational team leaders to improve performance, accountability, and communicationCreate a positive, commercially aware, and customer-focused culture across the production and service functionsSupport succession planning, skills development, and employee training initiativesEnsure effective communication across departments and with senior stakeholdersPromote continuous improvement and encourage teams to identify and implement operational efficienciesContinuous Improvement & GovernanceSupport strategic operational and product development initiatives aimed at maintaining competitive advantageImprove operational consistency while avoiding unnecessary complexity or bureaucracyStrengthen communication and feedback loops between engineering, sales, production, service, quality, and buying teamsSupport compliance and audit readiness activities relating to CE/UKCA regulations and calibration standardsDrive improvements in operational processes, reporting, planning, and performance visibilityCandidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a practical and grounded operational leader with strong technical understanding and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
You will demonstrate:
A qualified mechanical and/or electrical engineering backgroundMinimum 5 years’ experience within a senior production, operations, or manufacturing leadership roleProven experience managing both engineering/design and production teamsStrong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilitiesCommercial awareness with understanding of operational cost, margin impact, and customer expectationsExperience using ERP systems within a manufacturing environmentConfidence working within a low-volume, high-value manufacturing settingStrong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively at all levelsKnowledge of machinery regulations and manufacturing compliance standardsStrong IT literacy and interest in evolving technologies and operational systemsDesirable Experience
Experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous:
Business Central ERP systemsProfit & Loss exposure or operational budgeting responsibilityPrecision engineering or capital equipment manufacturingIoT, automation, or machine learning technologiesProduct development, product strategy, or business growth initiativesInternational service or technical support environmentsWhat’s On OfferCompetitive salary up to £50,000 DOE25-30 days annual leave (service dependent)Company pension schemeLife assuranceIncome protectionFlexible working arrangementsFree on-site parkingOpportunity for international travelLong-term career progression within a growing and innovative engineering businessFor a confidential discussion or to express interest in the opportunity, please apply directly
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