Site Operational Lead - Electronics
North East | Permanent | From £75k + 15% bonus (up to 20%) + pension + healthcare
Reporting to: COO
About the Opportunity
A newly built electronics assembly site in the North East is entering a major growth phase, with new product lines and continuous investment planned year after year. We’re looking for a results‑driven Site Operations Leader to take full ownership of the operation and develop it into a world‑class, best‑in‑class manufacturing facility.
You’ll lead the evolution of the site — driving Lean, zero‑WIP, zero‑defect, and zero‑stoppage performance, while embedding Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing practices. This is a rare chance to shape a modern electronics manufacturing environment from the ground up.
Production & Operations
* Oversee SMT, THT, and assembly operations with the senior Production Manager
* Ensure efficient, high‑quality, low‑downtime production
* Maintain zero WIP through smart planning, takt optimisation, and flow management
* Drive real‑time decision‑making on the shop floor
* Ensure full compliance with safety, standards, and procedures
Lean, CI & Process Excellence
* Champion Lean tools: 5S, Kaizen, VSM, Kanban
* Eliminate waste, reduce cost, and improve flow
* Lead CI projects and root‑cause investigations
Quality Leadership
* Embed a culture of world‑class quality and IPC compliance
* Partner with QA/QE to resolve non‑conformances and improve FPY
People Leadership
* Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, line leaders, and operators
* Build a high‑performance, accountable, continuous‑learning culture
Digital Transformation
* Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 tools and data‑driven decision‑making
* Implement scalable digital solutions: predictive maintenance, digital twins, automated data capture, advanced analytics
Financial & Strategic Ownership
* Manage budgets, cost control, and investment planning
* Deliver KPI‑driven insights and performance reporting
* Partner with the COO on long‑term operational strategy
What You Bring
* Degree in Electronics, Industrial Engineering, or similar
* 10+ years in electronics manufacturing, including 5+ in leadership
* Deep expertise in SMT, THT, PCBA processes and equipment
* Proven Lean/Zero‑WIP implementation experience
* Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills
* Experience with ERP/MES and manufacturing KPIs
* Six Sigma or Lean certification
* Background in high‑mix, low‑to‑medium volume environments
* Familiarity with Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing technologies
Whys
You’ll have the autonomy, investment, and strategic backing to build a truly world‑class electronics manufacturing site — shaping its culture, capability, and long‑term direction.
Start People is the Assigned Agency for this position