Manufacturing Manager

About the roleReporting directly to the Managing Director, you will lead the development and execution of the company's manufacturing strategy, ensuring production capability, capacity, quality and delivery performance align with customer requirements and business objectives. You will have overall responsibility for Manufacturing, Production Planning, Supply Chain, Quality and Operational Improvement activities across the business. Working closely with Scientific, Engineering and Commercial teams, you will support business growth, product innovation and operational excellence, ensuring the safe, efficient and compliant production of high-quality precision scientific instrumentation. You will be responsible for the leadership and development of a manufacturing facility which includes low-volume electronic assembly, cable and wiring assembly, clean room operations, box-build assembly and product testing activities. Experience within electronic manufacturing is essential. Key ResponsibilitiesLead manufacturing operations and strategyOversee day-to-day manufacturing activities including production planning, capacity planning and resource allocationDevelop and monitor KPIs, dashboards and reporting frameworksDrive operational excellence through Lean manufacturing initiativesLead new product introduction (NPI) and process scale-up activitiesManage manufacturing-related supply chain, inventory and supplier performanceEnsure compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental, Quality and regulatory requirementsLead, motivate and develop a high-performing manufacturing teamOversee manufacturing facilities, equipment, maintenance and calibration programmesDrive manufacturing systems optimisation and digitalisation initiativesRequired experienceProven leadership experience within manufacturing, production or operations management in a technical manufacturing environmentDemonstrable experience within an electronic manufacturing environmentExperience purchasing electronic components and managing associated supplier relationshipsStrong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning and supply chain managementExperience overseeing incoming goods inspection and quality control activitiesExperience improving productivity, quality, efficiency and delivery performance through continuous improvement initiativesStrong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilityExcellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skillsRelevant qualifications or equivalent experience in Engineering, Manufacturing or Operations ManagementLive within a commutable distance to RochesterPreferred experienceBox-build assemblyISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 environmentsLean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologiesERP/MRP systemsPrecision engineering or scientific instrumentation environmentsHigh-mix, low-volume manufacturing operations within an SME