Production & Operations Manager

Production / Operations Manager (Permanent) - Precision Engineering (Aerospace/Defence)

We're recruiting for a senior, hands-on Production/Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing within a growing precision engineering business. This is a high-accountability role in a regulated aerospace/defence environment, where right-first-time delivery, traceability and disciplined quality standards are essential. You'll take ownership of output, OTIF performance and overtime control, while developing and growing a skilled CNC team.

About the role
You'll lead production across a mixed manufacturing portfolio: volume own-product manufacture, high-spec subcontract machining, and structured NPI handover into production. Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality and Planning, you'll stabilise operations and support scalable growth.

Key responsibilities

• Lead daily production to deliver stable output and reliable performance

• Own OTIF delivery across all workstreams

• Drive capacity planning with the Planner (labour, machine time, demand)

• Control overtime in line with delivery priorities and margin protection

• Deliver structured NPI handover from Technical into Operations

• Identify constraints, remove bottlenecks and implement corrective actions

• Maintain AS9100 (or equivalent) compliance: traceability, configuration control, FAIR discipline

• Coach, develop and retain the shopfloor team via clear standards, 1:1s and reviews

Skills & experience

• 5+ years' production leadership in precision engineering

• Aerospace and/or defence manufacturing background

• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 (or equivalent) quality systems

• Technical credibility in CNC milling/turning and high-spec components

• Confident with ERP/MRP systems and Excel-based reporting

• Evidence of improving productivity and controlling overtime spend

Permanent position with a negotiable starting salary dependant on experience. Applicants must have current UK right to work. HRGO are a recruitment agency supporting UK Manufacturing. We aim to respond to all applications.