Production Manager

The Role:

This role will have overall responsibility for ensuring production is delivered safely, efficiently and in line with quality, cost and delivery requirements.

This is a hands-on, floor-based leadership role requiring someone who will be visible within the operation and work closely with production teams, supervisors and cross-functional stakeholders. The Production Manager will play a key role in supporting continued operational growth, improving production processes and systems, and ensuring the appropriate structures are in place as the workforce and production volumes increase.

The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Procurement, HR and other operational teams to improve planning, information flow and overall manufacturing performance.

Responsibilities:

• Manage production planning and scheduling across manufacturing activities, balancing labour, materials and capacity against delivery requirements.

• Ensure production targets, schedules and delivery commitments are consistently achieved.

• Monitor work-in-progress, identify production bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.

• Review existing production systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve information flow, accuracy and efficiency.

• Drive improvements to production systems and reduce reliance on manual or duplicated processes.

• Develop and improve structured handover processes between Production and Engineering/Design teams.

• Work closely with Engineering, Procurement, Quality and other functions to ensure production plans are achievable and materials are available when required.

• Reduce delays and rework caused by production, engineering or material issues.

• Ensure production activities are completed in accordance with company quality standards, procedures and applicable requirements.

• Support the implementation and consistent use of Standard Operating Procedures within production.

• Work with Quality teams to investigate and resolve defects, non-conformances and rework.

• Lead and develop production supervisors and frontline leaders, creating clear accountability across the operation.

• Support workforce planning as production volumes and headcount increase, including team structures, shift requirements and supervision levels.

• Coach and develop supervisors and team leads to effectively manage their teams and take ownership of performance.

• Work closely with HR on employee relations, performance management, training and workforce development.

• Ensure employees are appropriately trained and competent to carry out assigned production activities.

• Promote a strong Health & Safety culture and ensure safe working practices are embedded throughout the operation.

• Monitor key production metrics including output, labour utilisation, quality, waste and safety.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across productivity, equipment utilisation and material flow.

• Provide senior management with clear visibility of production performance, risks and operational constraints.

• Support the introduction of new products, process changes and capacity increases while maintaining production stability.

• Maintain a professional and audit-ready manufacturing environment.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager or similar manufacturing leadership position.

• Experience within construction, modular, offsite, engineering, industrial manufacturing or a comparable production environment.

• Experience managing sizeable production teams through supervisors or frontline leaders.

• Strong hands-on leadership style with a visible presence on the production floor.

• Previous experience supporting a manufacturing operation through growth, scaling or significant operational change.

• Experience improving production systems, manufacturing processes and operational information flow.

• Experience working with MES, ERP or similar production management systems.

• Experience developing or improving cross-functional processes between Production, Engineering, Quality and other operational functions.

• Strong people management, coaching and team development experience.

• Experience managing production planning, capacity, labour and delivery requirements.

• Strong understanding of Health & Safety and quality requirements within a manufacturing environment.

• Comfortable using production data, KPIs and reporting to support operational decision-making.

• Experience driving improvements across safety, quality, productivity and operational efficiency.

• Qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Construction Management or a related discipline is desirable.

• Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence training would be advantageous.