Production Manager
Location: Cambridge, UK
Salary: Up to £55,000 + benefits
Type: Full-time, On-site
Overview
We’re looking for a hands-on Production Manager to lead two assembly departments within a precision manufacturing environment. The role is focused on output, people management, process control and continuous improvement. You will be responsible for delivering safe, consistent, and efficient production performance, while driving an embedded Lean culture across daily operations.
This role suits someone who thrives on the shop floor, understands how to get the best out of teams, and knows how to introduce structure, standards and discipline without slowing the pace of manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & People
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Lead, coach and develop a team of assembly operators and team leads.
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Set clear expectations, performance targets and structured daily routines.
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Conduct performance reviews, training plans and skills development programs.
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Uphold and enforce safe working practices and compliance standards.
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Run daily tier meetings, ensuring targets, issues and improvements are visible and understood.
Operational Delivery
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Ensure production plans are met on time, to quality, and at the required efficiency levels.
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Maintain accurate documentation including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and shift handover processes.
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Monitor WIP, stock usage and component availability; collaborate closely with planning and purchasing.
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Drive root cause analysis and structured problem-solving to remove recurring issues.
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Manage production metrics (OEE, throughput, scrap, rework, downtime) and report performance trends clearly and honestly.
Continuous Improvement
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Embed Lean tools such as visual management, standard work, 5S and waste reduction.
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Lead small-to-medium improvement projects that drive measurable cost, quality or output gains.
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Work closely with Operations Leadership to refine layout, process flow and labour deployment.
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Support implementation of preventive maintenance, equipment uptime improvement and shop floor reliability.
About You
Experience
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Track record in a Production / Manufacturing / Operations leadership role in an assembly or build environment.
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Demonstrable experience leading teams and improving operational performance.
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Familiarity with Lean principles (practical, not theoretical).
Skills & Approach
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Clear and confident communicator, able to hold people accountable.
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Comfortable being on the shop floor, not managing from behind a desk.
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Strong problem-solving mentality — identifies root cause, implements fix, locks in change.
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Organised and structured, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities without losing control.
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Emotionally intelligent leader who can motivate, challenge and support.
Qualifications
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HND / Higher-level vocational qualification or equivalent hands-on manufacturing leadership experience