Industrial Manager – Permanent | Basic + Bonus + Car + Benefits
Location: Cramlington, Consett or Scarborough
Start: ASAP
An established and innovative manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced Industrial Manager to lead its transition into Industry 4.0 and drive strategic industrial development across multiple sites. This key leadership role will shape the future of smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and industrial performance within a modern, technology‑led environment.
About the Role
The Industrial Manager will oversee the industrialisation of new products, CAD‑CAM operations, advanced manufacturing systems, and major industrial projects. Acting as a bridge between engineering, production, digital systems, and senior leadership, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in enhancing automation, efficiency, and long‑term operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Industry 4.0 & Smart Manufacturing
* Lead the digital transformation of industrial processes, integrating IoT, automation, AI and data analytics.
* Implement smart factory technologies such as predictive maintenance and real‑time monitoring.
* Develop digital twins and simulation models for process optimisation.
2. New Product Industrialisation (NPI)
* Manage the full industrialisation lifecycle for new products, ensuring seamless transitions from R&D to production.
* Define manufacturing processes, tooling, and assembly methods alongside engineering and production teams.
* Optimise production layouts, process flows and work instructions for new launches.
3. CAD‑CAM & Digital Manufacturing
* Oversee CAD‑CAM integration and ensure efficient design‑to‑production workflows.
* Improve CNC programming, automation and tooling strategies.
* Maintain CAD environments (e.g., RADAN or similar) and lead a CAD/Special Projects team, ensuring high‑quality, on‑time customer solutions.
4. Digital Systems & Database Management
* Implement and manage industrial databases for quality, analytics, and process tracking.
* Drive integration across ERP, MES and PLM platforms.
* Utilise big data and AI to support advanced decision‑making and continuous improvement.
5. Industrial Projects & Process Optimisation
* Lead major automation, efficiency and sustainability projects.
* Conduct Lean and Six Sigma improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
* Work closely with suppliers and partners to introduce advanced industrial technologies.
6. Productivity, Continuous Improvement & Lean Methodologies
* Develop and execute site‑wide productivity strategies aligned with operational and financial goals.
* Identify opportunities to enhance manufacturing efficiency and labour productivity.
* Implement Lean manufacturing practices (5S, Kaizen, VSM, standard work).
* Establish KPIs, track performance, and report regularly to senior management.
* Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across departments.
7. Additional Responsibilities
* Support tooling audits in collaboration with procurement teams.
* Uphold the organisation’s values and code of ethics.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
* Degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering or similar.
* 5+ years’ experience in industrial management, Industry 4.0 or digital manufacturing.
* Strong background in smart factory technologies, IoT, AI and automation.
* Proficiency with CAD‑CAM software (Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, Mastercam etc.).
* Experience with ERP, MES, PLM and industrial database systems.
* Demonstrated success in NPI, Lean methodologies and cross‑functional project management.
* Excellent leadership, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Package
* Competitive Salary
* 10% annual bonus (with potential booster to 15%)
* Company car
* Pension & private healthcare