OpenWorks Engineering
Technology
HeadofManufacturing
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“Head of Manufacturing at OpenWorks Engineering. Skills: Manufacturing operations, Operational excellence, Team development, Continuous improvement. Lead manufacturing operations. Scale manufacturing operations”
What You'll Achieve.
Achieve ambitious growth plans; Preserve agility; Preserve pace; Preserve collaborative culture; Drive delivery performance; Improve manufacturing efficiency; Improve product quality; Achieve operational excellence; Improve throughput; Improve yield; Improve quality; Improve operational maturity; Support business growth; Ensure effective delivery; Ensure predictable delivery; Ensure scalable delivery
Industry & Context.
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
5+ years manufacturing experience, Experience scaling manufacturing operations, Experience managing departmental budgets, Experience managing workforce planning, Experience managing operational resources, Experience working with engineering-led product organizations, Experience operating within defence manufacturing sectors, Experience operating within aerospace manufacturing sectors, Experience operating within medical manufacturing sectors, Experience operating within robotics manufacturing sectors, Experience operating within high-reliability manufacturing sectors, Strong communication skills
Nice to Have
Experience within electro-optics environments, Experience within robotics environments, Experience within sensing environments, Experience within defence environments, Experience within high-reliability electronics environments, ERP/MRP systems experience, Operational scale-up experience, Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies, New product introduction experience, Transition-to-production processes experience
What You'll Do.
Lead manufacturing operations
Scale manufacturing operations
Drive operational excellence
Strengthen manufacturing capability
Enhance delivery performance
Lead Production functions
Lead Production Engineering functions
Develop scalable manufacturing operations
Develop efficient manufacturing operations
Develop resilient manufacturing operations
Develop high-performing teams
Drive continuous improvement
Balance strategic leadership
Engage in operational activities
Shape operational evolution
Build systems for scale
Build processes for scale
Build capabilities for scale
Support business growth
Support workforce planning
Support capability planning
Develop manufacturing processes
Develop manufacturing systems
Develop management disciplines
Improve operational maturity
Partner with Engineering teams
Manage new product introduction
Manage transition-to-production
Create scalable manufacturing solutions
Support defence products
Support electro-optical products
Support manufacturing budgets
Develop manufacturing strategy
Support operational scaling
Manage production scheduling
Manage capacity planning
Manage resource deployment
Manage build prioritization
Ensure predictable delivery
Ensure scalable delivery
Support facility expansion
Support operational growth
Implement lean manufacturing
Implement continuous improvement
Manage transition-to-production processes
Support manufacturing teams
Develop manufacturing teams
Encourage accountability
Strengthen function capability
Foster talent development
Implement wellbeing initiatives
Oversee manufacturing budgets
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Cross-functional teams; Engineering teams; Supply Chain teams; Senior leadership teams; Manufacturing departments; Wider business departments; Leadership teams
Communication Scope
Build credibility; Collaborate effectively
Full Job Description
**The Opportunity** We're looking for a Head of Manufacturing to lead and scale manufacturing operations at OpenWorks as we continue our growth as an innovative defence technology and engineering business. This is a highly influential leadership role, responsible for driving operational excellence, strengthening manufacturing capability and enhancing delivery performance across the organisation. Leading our Production and Production Engineering functions, you will work closely with Engineering, Supply Chain and senior leadership teams to develop scalable, efficient and resilient manufacturing operations that support ambitious growth plans. The role is ideally suited to a leader who is passionate about developing high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement and balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational engagement in a fast-paced, engineering-led environment. As Head of Manufacturing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of our operational evolution - building the systems, processes and capabilities needed to scale successfully while preserving the agility, pace and collaborative culture that define OpenWorks. **Who We Are** OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team. **Why You’ll Love Working With Us** Join a h
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