Production Manager

Production Manager – Engineering Manufacturing

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager from an engineering-led manufacturing background to lead production teams, improve performance and drive operational excellence.

Salary: £45,000–£50,000 per annum
Location: Dereham, Norfolk
Hours: 37.75 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday–Thursday, 7:30am–4:15pm; Friday, 7:30am–12:30pm
Closing Date: CVs to be reviewed on a rolling basis

Are you an experienced Production Manager with a strong background in engineering-led manufacturing? Do you enjoy leading people, improving production processes and delivering measurable results?

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of manufacturing operations within an established engineering business producing specialist technical products for industrial markets.

About the Role

As Production Manager, you will oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring production targets, quality standards and customer deadlines are consistently achieved.

Working closely with senior leadership, you will drive operational improvements, develop production teams and create a culture focused on efficiency, quality and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, motivate and develop manufacturing and production teams, encouraging high performance and accountability.
• Manage daily production schedules, workforce planning and resources to meet customer requirements.
• Monitor production KPIs, including productivity, labour efficiency, on-time delivery and right-first-time quality.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Identify production bottlenecks, resolve operational challenges and improve manufacturing processes.
• Manage labour costs, production resources and departmental budgets.
• Collaborate with Planning, Quality and Sales teams to ensure production and delivery targets are achieved.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety, quality and environmental compliance.

About You

We are particularly interested in candidates with proven production management experience within an engineering-led manufacturing environment, rather than purely high-volume production.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience managing production within electrical, electromechanical, industrial equipment, metal fabrication or specialist engineering manufacturing.
• Strong experience leading hands-on manufacturing teams, including performance management, coaching and development.
• A solid understanding of production planning, manufacturing processes, resource allocation and workflow management.
• Practical experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement or operational efficiency initiatives.
• Experience working in KPI-driven environments, with evidence of improving productivity, quality and delivery performance.
• The ability to manage varied production requirements, ideally within bespoke, technical or low-volume manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and organisational skills.

A relevant engineering, manufacturing or operations qualification, or equivalent practical experience, is required. IOSH Managing Safely or similar would be advantageous.

A full driving licence is essential, with travel to another company site approximately once a fortnight.

About the Organisation

You will be joining an established UK engineering manufacturer supplying specialist technical solutions to customers across a range of industries.

The business offers an opportunity to make a genuine impact on manufacturing performance, develop skilled production teams and contribute to ongoing operational improvements.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Manufacturing Manager, Engineering Production Manager, Manufacturing Operations Manager, Factory Manager, Works Manager, Operations Manager or Production Operations Manager

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