General Manager - High Performance Precision Engineering
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Location: South Coast (Relocation Assistance Available for this Onsite Role)
A privately owned, high-growth precision engineering manufacturer seeks an experienced General Manager to lead and transform one of its principal UK manufacturing operations. The company designs and produces complex, high-integrity engineered components for advanced energy, industrial, and performance‑critical applications.
The role is a pivotal operational leadership position, ideal for a hands‑on manufacturing leader who thrives on visible, front‑line engagement, rapid performance improvement, and long‑term transformation.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will take full responsibility for the performance, capability, and culture of a key precision machining and assembly facility.
Your leadership will be approximately 75-80% hands‑on and highly visible, focused on driving improvement directly from the shop floor while providing strategic oversight from the front.
Your mission will be to:
- Lead by example - be a consistent, visible presence on the shop floor, guiding and supporting teams while setting and enforcing standards.
- Stabilise and transform performance - introduce operational control, clear KPIs, and daily accountability to restore efficiency, quality, and output.
- Rebuild morale and engagement - create a positive, open, and performance‑driven culture where employees understand objectives and take ownership of results.
- Drive cultural and behavioural change - set expectations, improve communication, and instil pride in performance.
- Implement continuous improvement - embed lean manufacturing, structured problem solving, and visual management to raise productivity and reduce waste.
- Optimise planning and workflow - strengthen scheduling, resource management, and cost control.
- Develop leadership capability - mentor supervisors, technical leads, and support functions to create a robust, accountable management team.
- Lay foundations for future investment - once the site is stabilised, prepare and present detailed business cases for capital expenditure and capacity expansion to the CEO and Board.
- This is a true turnaround and transformation assignment - a chance to take an underperforming but strategically important site and turn it into a model of efficiency, engagement, and operational excellence.
About You
You are a confident, technically credible manufacturing leader with a proven track record of improving performance, quality, and culture in precision or high‑performance engineering environments.
You are at your best on the factory floor - visible, pragmatic, and leading from the front. You understand that transformation comes from clear standards, disciplined execution, and engaged people.
You will bring:
- Education: Degree (BEng/MEng/BSc) in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Production Engineering. Chartered Engineer (CEng) preferred but not essential.
- Experience: 10-20 years in engineering/manufacturing, with at least 5 years in senior operational/site leadership.
- Hands‑on leadership style: 75-80% of your time spent on the shop floor, directly guiding teams, setting priorities, and driving measurable results.
- Transformation track record: Proven ability to stabilise, re‑energise, and elevate underperforming manufacturing operations through disciplined processes, KPIs, and leadership.
- Technical grounding: Strong background in CNC machining, small‑batch, or precision manufacturing.
- Change management skills: Able to introduce structure, coach teams, and hold people accountable while building trust and engagement.
- Commercial and analytical skills: Experience managing budgets, cost‑per‑part, and productivity metrics. Capable of preparing CapEx proposals for process improvement and technology investment.
- Continuous improvement expertise: Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent toolkit, with a record of delivering tangible efficiency and quality gains.
- Sector experience: Precision engineering, energy, aerospace, automotive, defence, or other high‑performance industrial sectors.
- Personal impact: Decisive, calm under pressure, authentic, and unafraid to challenge legacy thinking.
The Rewards
- Bonus: up to 25% linked to performance and leadership KPIs
- Car Allowance: included in base; company also offers a salary‑sacrifice electric‑vehicle scheme
- Relocation Support: up to £10,000 (HMRC guideline)
This is a rare opportunity to make a measurable difference within a well‑funded, high‑growth precision manufacturer. You'll have the authority to reshape performance from the ground up, deliver cultural renewal, and then lead the site into its next phase of investment and expansion.
How to Apply
All enquiries and applications (ref. 3471945) are handled in strict confidence by Martin Veasey Talent Solutions.
Due to the confidential nature of this appointment, NDAs will be required at shortlist stage.
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