Production Operations Manager

Do you have a passion for production efficiency? Being responsible for leading a team that manufactures world-class technical textiles in the heart of the South West?

Heathcoat Fabrics is a renowned employer within the technical textiles industry and is known for its commitment to creativity and pushing innovation boundaries.

Managing a team of woven fabric experts, you will join a purpose-driven company within a sustainable manufacturing environment. Your team produce technical fabrics that keep frontline emergency service crews safe, help renewable energy industries combat climate change, protect our armed forces, safeguard the environment, enhance the lifespan and efficiency of road, rail and air transport, and even safely deliver a soft landing on distant planets.

We are proud winners of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation and, as part of the team, you will contribute to some of the most innovative technical fabric-making projects anywhere in the world. We are committed to ensuring our people have the skills and confidence to excel in their field, therefore we provide ongoing development opportunities for individuals to progress at all levels.

About the department and role

Our Woven Fabrics business manufactures technical textiles through various processes such as Texturising, Warping, Drawing-in, Weaving and Inspection.

The role is responsible for planning, production, and overall quality of all woven fabric products and driving efficiencies across the manufacturing areas. The ideal candidate will manage budget constraints, ensure direct reports measure performance through Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost metrics and initiate and implement continuous improvement opportunities.

You will work with the divisional director to develop and implement a world-class production strategy for woven fabrics to ensure the company is able to meet all current and future business demands to the high standards expected by our customers.

The successful candidate will lead the delivery of the production strategy through target setting, monitoring achievements and appropriate milestones with each accountable Manager or Team Leader. The ideal candidate will have a passion for manufacturing or technical textiles and will play an active role in developing the business unit’s management, promoting and encouraging an environment focused on delivering world-class service and an engaging and positive employee culture. The successful candidate will be an ambitious individual with a strong drive and motivation to develop within the Company.

Skills, knowledge and experience required

• Degree or equivalent qualification and/or experience in manufacturing or engineering
• Proven senior leadership skills with considerable experience in managing large teams
• A strong desire to drive change and deliver large-scale business improvements
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Good organisational and project management skills with the ability to problem-solve
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
• Experience in lean manufacturing
• Knowledge of the textile industry is desirable but not essential

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