Production Manager

Production Manager – Aerospace Manufacturing
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Department: Manufacturing / Operations
About the Role
Our client is a global aerospace manufacturer providing mission-critical equipment and solutions across the commercial and defence aerospace sectors.
Based at their Portsmouth facility, the business manufactures safety-critical aerospace products, including aircraft fuel systems and emergency flotation equipment, within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
They are now looking for an experienced Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations, develop high-performing teams and drive improvements across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People (SQDCP).
The Role
This is a senior, hands-on operational leadership position where you will take responsibility for delivering production commitments while developing the systems, people and processes required to support future growth.
You will:
* Ensure production plans and customer commitments are achieved.
* Identify and address capacity constraints, material shortages and bottlenecks.
* Monitor production performance and implement recovery plans where required.
* Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
* Improve manufacturing flow and reduce lead times and waste.
* Establish and maintain effective Daily Management Systems.
* Work closely with Engineering and Quality to improve processes and eliminate recurring issues.
* Improve Right First Time performance and reduce defects, rework and scrap.
* Provide visible leadership on Health, Safety and Environmental standards.
* Develop Production Leaders, Supervisors and Team Leaders.
* Build a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
* Use operational data and SQDCP metrics to drive performance and decision-making.
About You
We are looking for an experienced manufacturing leader with a proven background in production operations and team management.
You will ideally have:
* Significant experience in a manufacturing leadership role.
* Experience managing production through Supervisors, Team Leaders or Production Leaders.
* A proven track record of improving Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People performance.
* Strong knowledge of production planning, capacity management and manufacturing flow.
* Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement.
* Experience implementing Daily Management Systems and performance metrics.
* Strong knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and root-cause problem solving.
* A hands-on leadership style with the confidence to engage with both shop-floor teams and senior management.
Aerospace & Regulatory Experience
Experience within aerospace, defence or another highly regulated manufacturing environment would be highly advantageous.
Knowledge or experience of the following would be particularly beneficial:
* AS9100
* CAA / EASA Part 21
* CAA / EASA Part 145
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a Production Manager who can combine strong operational leadership with a continuous improvement mindset.
You will be comfortable taking ownership of short-term production challenges while also implementing long-term improvements to processes, systems and people.
If you have experience building high-performing manufacturing teams and delivering measurable improvements in production performance, we would like to hear from you.
Apply Now
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed