Head of Production

Head of Production

Competitive Salary, Plus Benefits

Location: West Midlands

Production, Management, Manufacturing, Leadership, Improvements, NPI, CI, OEE, 8D, 5Y, PPM

Our client a forward thinking and growing Automotive organisation with a track record of delivering world class products and systems for advanced technology and performance are currently seeking a Head of Production, who can think strategically, drive productivity, implement procedures, manage teams and create a work load and flow through effective management.

The role as Head of Production will be to lead the Production Department, influencing, training and developing production teams to embrace quality, performance and standardisation, through effective processes and procedures while driving forward change and continuous improvement that will positively impact all areas of production. A hands–on approach and can–do attitude are essential, as is the ability to challenge mainstream thinking in a constructive and energetic way.

As Head of Production your main responsibilities will be to;

• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice manufacturing vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve operational performance
• Identify business improvement opportunities within the organisation
• Effectively and efficiently manage the production of the required daily/weekly/monthly targets in line with customer specifications, meeting quality and delivery expectations, minimising costs where possible and ensure the required best working practices are maintained at all times
• Responsible for plant production, financial performance, meeting customer requirements and maintaining the orderly and productive operation of planned activities
• Ensure the target productivity level is achieved and production plan updated on a daily basis
• Communicate and liaise with other departmental managers regarding throughput of stock to ensure production targets are met
• Drive process improvements on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by appropriate data analysis
• Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well being of staff and visitors
• Identify and deploy the technical skill sets, resource levels and systems to deliver customer orders, including the engagement of external resources as required
• Manage, coach and develop a high performing manufacturing team that meets agreed objectives and which delivers best practice results, added value and continuous improvements
• Set department objectives/KPIs, SOP's and reviews to assess ongoing performance of direct reports
• Report on achievement of targets and identify any actions required
• Manage and lead the team, ensuring adequate staffing levels, managing holiday allowances, recruitment, training, development, appraisal, attendance, disciplinary & daily supervision to maximise productivity
• Motivate and coach the team to operational success while possessing good problem solving skills such as 8D, 5Y and Six Sigma
• Monitor the completion of tasks and ensure good performance and record on appropriate systems
• Consistently promote high standards through personal example and roll out through the team so that each member of the team understands the standards and behaviours expected of them
• Communicate KPIs from the strategic annual plan so that each employee is aware
• Develop, implement and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) for each area of responsibility
• Ensure KPIs are met by working to the overall plan, including management of, and reporting
• Input and hold responsibility for manufacturing budgets
• Work as part of the Management team to share ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimise results and improve quality of delivery, in line with quality standards requirements delivery in line with Company and Customer requirements
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance providing an effective interface with other departmental staff is maintained
• Liaise and communicate with other departments, customers, suppliers and other service providers

This is a challenging and exciting role and as such we are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate that they have the following:

• Must be capable of leading and managing staff to deliver the business plan and objectives, possessing previous leadership of up to 100 within a high volume production environment, preferably within the automotive arena being able to influence change, productivity levels and performance
• An in depth and proven knowledge of OEE, ERP, PPM, NPI, 8D, 5Y and CI.
• The desire, drive and the character to ensure production runs smoothly, challenging the status quo continually seeking way to improve performance and delivery to meet customer needs and requirements. are essential personal requirements, allied with excellent leadership and motivational skills to succeed
• Ability to create strategic plans that meet production objectives and translate them into operation processes and procedures

Demand for this role will undoubtedly be high and interviews will be arranged very soon. If you have knowledge in managing production teams, facing off to clients and suppliers, allied with delivering OEE, PPM, SOP's, KPI's and CI within an automotive and/or motorsport organisation, especially were adaptability and versatility is essential and want to be considered, please apply today. If you have any questions about the Head of Production role, please contact Mark Bignell at Jonathan Lee Recruitment on or email

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.