Site Operations Leader

Site Operations Leader
Location: Cramlington
Salary: GBP70,000 per year, plus 15% bonus
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 4.30pm. Fridays, 8am - 1pm.
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Bridge Recruitment is helping one of our established clients recruit an experienced Site Operations Leader to join their ever-expanding team.
Responsibilities of the Site Operations Leader:
· Coordinate daily SMT, THT, and assembly operations to meet production, quality, and delivery targets.
· Manage shop floor performance, resolving bottlenecks and minimizing downtime.
· Maintain production flow, zero WIP, and effective shift handovers.
· Ensure compliance with safety standards, procedures, and company policies.
· Lead Lean initiatives using 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping.
· Eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
· Drive continuous improvement and root cause analysis.
· Promote a culture of quality and compliance with IPC and internal standards.
· Partner with QA and Engineering to resolve product and process issues.
· Provide technical leadership across SMT, THT, soldering, AOI, ICT, and functional testing.
· Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and process optimization to improve yield and reduce downtime.
· Drive equipment upgrades, automation, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
· Mentor technical teams and coordinate with equipment suppliers on commissioning and improvements.
· Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, line leaders, and operators.
· Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
· Implement Industry 4.0 technologies to improve connectivity, efficiency, and traceability.
· Leverage real-time data, predictive maintenance, and advanced analytics.
· Collaborate across functions to embed digital manufacturing practices.
· Manage production budgets, control costs, and support capital investment decisions.
· Track KPIs and provide data-driven reporting to support operational improvements.
· Build a high-performing production team and execute long-term operational strategies with the COO.
· Promote our clients core values and Code of Ethics.
Requirements of the Site Operations Leader:
· Bachelors degree in Electronics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
· 10+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a production leadership role.
· Strong knowledge of SMT, THT, and PCB assembly processes and equipment.
· Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Zero WIP practices.
· Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
· Experience with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing KPIs.
· Ability to manage cross-functional teams and complex industrial projects.
· Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
· Six Sigma certification or Lean Manufacturing certification.
· Experience in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume electronics manufacturing environment.
· Familiarity with Industry 4.0, automation, and digital manufacturing technologies.
If you feel like you meet the above criteria for the Site Operations Leader role, then please apply now!