Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom
Head of Industry – Under Water Systems (UWS)
At Thales UK, we are seeking a visionary Head of Industry to drive performance, innovation, and transformation across our Under Water Systems business — helping keep people safe worldwide.
The Role
You will lead the full industrial ecosystem, ensuring delivery across planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics. With accountability for both performance and customer satisfaction, you’ll shape and execute industrial strategy while championing lean principles and Industry 4.0 transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end industrial delivery, including planning, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics aligned to S&OP supply plans
- Deploy industrial strategy, ensuring effective use of human, financial, and physical resources
- Oversee supply chain, manufacturing, industrial engineering, and continuous improvement activities (total 300 headcount, 8 direct reports)
- Ensure successful industrialisation of new products from design through to production
- Deliver performance against quality, cost, and delivery targets by optimising inventory, supply, and WIP
- Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 and digital industrial technologies
- Ensure effective use of industrial systems (ERP, MES, QMS)
- Lead change management and embed a culture of continuous improvement
- Manage cost centre (£15M) and industrial throughput (~£200M+)
- Ensure compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental standards
- Represent industrial operations at bid and gate reviews, approving industrial solutions
- Act as industrial lead within business domains, supporting proposals and programme delivery
About You
- Senior operational leader with experience in complex manufacturing and supply chains
- Strong expertise in lean manufacturing and industrial transformation
- Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and drive change
- Excellent communicator with the ability to influence at all levels
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing (essential)
- Lean expertise (e.g., 5S, Kaizen)
- MBA, APICS, or Green Belt (desirable)
Benefits
We offer private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle‑to‑work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay, and working conditions for all.
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