Defence Manufacturing & Engineering
Cheltenham - Gloucestershire
c. £55,000 p.a. + Extensive Benefits Package
Production Operations leadership in an advanced Defence manufacturing and engineering environment
Overview
An established and highly respected defence manufacturing organisation based in Gloucestershire is seeking a Production Operations Manager to lead and optimise its manufacturing operations. This is a critical leadership role with full responsibility for production performance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement within a regulated, high-integrity environment.
The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the business consistently delivers against customer, quality, cost, and delivery objectives while driving operational excellence and team engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Provide overall leadership and management of production operations across the site
Deliver production plans to meet customer demand, quality standards, and on-time delivery targets
Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, CI, OPEX) to improve efficiency, throughput, and cost control
Lead, develop, and engage production management and supervisory teams
Ensure full compliance with health & safety, quality, and regulatory requirements (including defence standards)
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Programme teams to support business objectives
Monitor and report on key operational KPIs, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions
Support capacity planning, resource management, and long-term operational strategyCandidate Profile
Proven experience in a senior production or operations management role within manufacturing
Background in defence, aerospace, MOD, military or other highly regulated engineering environments preferred
Strong leadership capability with experience managing multi-disciplinary production teams
Demonstrable experience in driving continuous improvement and operational change
Solid understanding of manufacturing KPIs, production planning, and quality systems
Confident communicator with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation
Must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (UK residency required)This is a genuine opportunity to work within a strategically important defence manufacturing business with real influence on site performance and future growth and comes with long-term career development within a stable and well-invested organisation.
How to apply
To apply in confidence and to initiate an informal discussion, please submit a fully CV online detailing your current remuneration package and availability quoting job reference 10226.
Desired Skills and Experience
Plant, Manufacturing, Engineering, Aerospace, Defence, MOD, Operations, Production, Lean, CI, Improvement