Manufacturing Manager at SAFRAN UK, Burnley, Lancashire

Safran Nacelles is a worldwide leader in aircraft engine nacelles. Our products and services equip all aircraft types; regional, business, short, medium and long-range commercial aircraft. Our expertise covers nacelle design, manufacturing, integration, maintenance and services. Our site in Burnley provides employment for almost 700 people and we are proud to be one of the largest private sector employers in Burnley.

Lead. Inspire. Improve. Deliver.

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader with a passion for operational excellence, people development and continuous improvement?

We are looking for an ambitious and results-driven Manufacturing Manager to lead our manufacturing operations, ensuring we consistently deliver high-quality products safely, efficiently and on time to meet customer expectations.

This is a key leadership role, with overall accountability for the operational performance of the manufacturing area. You will lead and develop teams, drive a strong continuous improvement culture and ensure the effective deployment of people, processes and resources to achieve business objectives.

The Role

As Manufacturing Manager, you will lead and manage the manufacturing operation, taking overall responsibility for delivering safety, quality, cost, delivery, people and productivity (SQCDPI) objectives. You will ensure customer requirements are met through effective production planning, resource and capacity management, while driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

You will lead, develop and motivate teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and high performance. Working closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and HR, you will drive performance improvements, resolve operational issues and ensure compliance with company, regulatory, health and safety requirements.

You will also take ownership of manufacturing budgets, performance reviews, workforce planning and business continuity, championing lean manufacturing, 5S and right-first-time principles to deliver sustainable improvements across the operation.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, cost, delivery and productivity (SQCDPI) targets.
- Ensure customer requirements are met through effective production planning, capacity management and resource utilisation.
- Drive operational performance, productivity and continuous improvement across the manufacturing area.
- Lead, motivate and develop teams, building a culture of accountability, engagement and high performance.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, 5S, QRQC and right-first-time principles.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, quality, regulatory and company requirements.
- Monitor key manufacturing KPIs, identify performance gaps and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Work collaboratively with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR and other stakeholders to resolve operational challenges.
- Manage manufacturing budgets, costs, workforce planning and operational resources.
- Ensure effective maintenance of plant, equipment and manufacturing assets.
- Lead daily operational reviews and ensure effective communication across manufacturing teams.
- Identify and manage operational risks, ensuring business continuity and protection of customer delivery.

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:
- Competitive salary
- 37 hour working week over 4.5 days with a 1pm finish on Friday (role dependent)
- Flexi-time scheme that allows you to take two half days or one full day off per month (role dependent)
- 33 days annual leave [inclusive of bank holidays]
- Option to purchase an additional 5 days of annual leave
- 10% employer pension contribution
- 5% employee contribution with the option to increase this voluntarily through tax efficient salary exchange
- 4 x life insurance benefit as a member of the pension scheme
- Non-contributory BUPA private medical insurance plan (role dependent)
- Group income protection scheme
- We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities.
- Enhanced sickness, maternity, adoption and paternity leave
- Excellent on-site catering facilities offering subsidised hot and cold breakfast and lunch

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:
- Strong leadership and personal accountability.
- A proactive, positive and solutions-focused approach.
- Resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- A commitment to developing people and building effective teams.
- The confidence to challenge existing practices and drive sustainable improvements.
- A collaborative approach to working across departments and functions.

Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a key manufacturing operation, influence business performance and make a tangible difference to our people, processes and customers.

You will have the opportunity to shape operational strategy, develop future manufacturing capability and build a high-performing team focused on safety, quality, delivery and continuous improvement.

Ready to lead our manufacturing operation and make a difference?

Apply now to take the next step in your manufacturing leadership career.

You will bring:

- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning and supply chain management.
- Understanding of MRPII principles and production control processes.
- Experience managing operational performance through SQCDP or similar performance frameworks.
- Good understanding of industrial costs, budgeting, forecasting and financial performance.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing quality requirements and process compliance.
- Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and structured problem-solving activities.
- Excellent people management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- The ability to make sound decisions, manage competing priorities and influence across a matrix organisation.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and manufacturing information systems.

Desirable qualifications and experience:
- BSCM (Basics in Supply Chain Management).
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Experience using SAP, ADP, TESSE, QMS and BI4.
- Experience working within a regulated or aerospace manufacturing environment.