Technical Manufacturing Operations Manager

Location: Weavering

Technical Manufacturing Operations Manager

Location:

Mid Kent

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 dependent on experience + progression

Type:
Permanent, full-time 5 days on site

Contact:
Emily-Karabelo Powell, Associate Director, Pearson Whiffin Recruitment

We are working with a specialist UK manufacturing business that forms part of a wider European engineering group. The UK operation designs and manufactures fabricated sheet metal and engineered metal systems, supplying project-led solutions into a technically demanding commercial market. The site operates with a high degree of autonomy, supported by a collaborative international HQ.

This role would suit a technically strong Operations Manager or Engineering Manager with a background in fabrication, sheet metal or engineered metal products, who enjoys being hands-on and improving how things are designed, made and delivered.

The Role

This is a senior, practical role with end-to-end responsibility for the UK manufacturing operation. While there is line management responsibility for a small team, the emphasis is firmly on technical leadership, operational efficiency and commercial performance.

You will be someone who is not afraid to roll your sleeves up, spend time on the shop floor, challenge existing processes and bring new ideas forward. In many respects, this role operates as a UK General Manager–style position, with responsibility for operational performance, cost and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Own and continuously improve UK manufacturing operations across fabrication, assembly and dispatch

Lead by example through a hands-on approach, supporting the team where needed

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, productivity and cost control

Analyse workflows, layouts, planning and material flow to reduce waste and improve throughput

Work closely with design and engineering activity to ensure design-for-manufacture principles are applied

Use Solid Works or similar CAD to review, challenge and support designs where appropriate

Work collaboratively with the commercial team to ensure operational decisions support margin, pricing and delivery commitments

Identify opportunities to bring work in-house, reduce supplier reliance and improve cost efficiency

Improve planning accuracy, delivery performance and operational reporting

Act as the key interface between the UK operation and European HQ

Maintain quality standards and support ISO-aligned systems

People Management

This is a small, stable team with no major people issues.

The role is about:

Setting standards and direction

Supporting and developing the team

Leading by example rather than heavy people management

About You

This role will suit someone who:

Is qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline

Has experience in fabricated sheet metal, architectural metal, airflow systems or engineered metal products

Has professional experience using Solid Works (or similar 3D CAD)

Is comfortable being hands-on and visible within a manufacturing environment

Enjoys problem-solving, improving processes and coming up with practical ideas

Is commercially aware and understands how operational decisions impact cost and margin

Is looking for a long-term role with ownership and stability

Candidates from SMEs or specialist manufacturers will be particularly well suited.

Why Apply?

Senior, long-term role with genuine ownership of the UK operation

Strong technical and continuous improvement focus

Opportunity to lead from the front and make a visible impact

Close collaboration with commercial and international teams

Stable, well-backed business with a clear future

Rapid interview process with clear feedback