Production Operations Manager

About Röchling Industrial UK

The Röchling Industrial division offers an extensive range of thermoplastics and composites for demanding technical applications. We supply products in various forms, including semi-finished materials such as sheets, round rods, tubes and profiles, as well as finished castings and precision-machined components.

As part of Röchling's Industrial division, our site in Hitchin specialises in the precision machining of engineering thermoplastics, including PTFE.

We manufacture components to the highest standards of precision and quality and are accredited to AS9100D. From initial concept through to full production, our partnership-led approach to project management enables us to provide customers with tailored outsourcing solutions for components manufactured from engineering plastics.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking an experienced Production & Operations Manager to lead and develop our manufacturing operations at our Hitchin site.

This is a key leadership role, responsible for ensuring that production activities are planned, managed and delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards, whilst meeting customer expectations and business objectives.

The successful candidate will provide strong operational leadership, develop the production team and drive improvements in manufacturing performance, productivity and operational efficiency.

Key Objectives

• Lead and manage all production activities, ensuring customer orders are manufactured accurately, safely and within agreed delivery timescales.
• Manage and develop the production team, delegating responsibilities and providing clear direction to supervisors.
• Ensure effective production planning, resource allocation and workflow management.
• Drive operational performance, productivity, efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, quality and operational compliance.
• Ensure production costs and operational targets are effectively managed.

Production & Operational Management

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of production operations.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved in line with customer requirements and agreed delivery deadlines.
• Work closely with production supervisors to manage workloads, priorities and resource requirements.
• Monitor production performance, identifying and addressing issues affecting output, quality, cost or delivery.
• Ensure machinery, equipment and resources are effectively utilised.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and operational efficiency.

People Management & Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop the production team, ensuring clear objectives and accountability.
• Provide effective support and direction to production supervisors.
• Identify training and development requirements to improve team capability and performance.
• Promote a positive culture of teamwork, responsibility and continuous improvement.

Quality, Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety requirements and company procedures.
• Maintain the highest standards of product quality in line with customer requirements and AS9100D.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented and monitored for all non-conformances.
• Work closely with the quality team to drive quality improvements and reduce production defects.

Commercial & Business Performance

• Monitor production costs and operational performance against agreed budgets and targets.
• Support the preparation of the Business Unit's annual budget and strategic business plans.
• Review project costs, financial performance and forecasts, reporting relevant information to the Operations Director.
• Establish and approve purchase requisitions in accordance with company procedures.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure effective business and operational performance.

Customer & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain strong customer relationships, supporting regular reviews of operational and contractual performance.
• Work closely with sales and other departments to ensure customer requirements are understood and delivered.
• Proactively identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives and manufacturing best practices.
• Promote service excellence, ensuring products are delivered to the required quality standards and customer expectations.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Proven experience working within a fast-paced machining or manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience in a Production Manager or Operations Manager role.
• Strong engineering or manufacturing background.
• Demonstrable experience managing and developing production teams.
• Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, quality and health and safety.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against production targets.

Desirable:

• Experience or exposure to CNC sliding head machining.
• Experience working with engineering plastics, particularly PTFE.
• Knowledge of AS9100D quality management systems.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Georgina at hr.gloucester@roechling.com.

Pay: From £55,000.00 per year

Experience:

• Operations management: 3 years (required)
• People Management: 5 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person