Production Manager - Nights

Production Manager, Nights

Complex Manufacturing and Assembly

Preston, on-site role

Excellent basic salary, 25 days holiday (no shut-downs), company pension, options to buy into health and dental plans. Company Bonus

About the role

Following an operational restructure the business is creating several new opportunities for an experienced Production Manager who thrives on leading change.

The role is on a night's shift pattern which is Monday to Thursday 9.15pm to 6.30am (37 hours per week) There is also flexible working which can be explained on application.

As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you will be a driving force behind performance, engagement and continuous improvement. You will take full ownership of your production area, acting as a role model for World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Six Sigma discipline and Kaizen thinking, embedding these principles into everyday behaviours, decision-making and leadership routines.

This is not a role for maintaining the status quo. It's for someone who enjoys challenging how things are done, building belief in better ways of working, and developing teams that take pride in improvement. You will support the Value Stream Senior Manager and act as their deputy when required.

What you'll be accountable for

Health, Safety & Environment

Create a visible, values-led safety culture where standards are owned by everyone, not enforced by exception.

Proactively identify HSE risks and lead corrective and preventative actions using structured problem-solving.

Champion environmentally responsible manufacturing and continuous reduction of waste and energy impact.

Quality & Right-First-Time Mindset

Embed quality ownership at every level, ensuring processes, SOPs and controls are clearly understood and consistently followed.

Lead robust Root Cause Analysis using Six Sigma and WCM methodologies, turning issues into learning opportunities.

Drive audit readiness and continuous compliance improvement in line with ISO9001.

Operational & Cultural Leadership

Build high-performing, highly engaged teams through coaching, presence on the shop floor and clear expectations.

Deliver OTIF performance through effective planning, standard work and disciplined daily management.

Develop capability through skills matrices, targeted training and succession planning.

Create a strong "One Team" culture, where accountability, ownership and continuous improvement are part of daily life.

Performance, Cost & Continuous Improvement

Use data and visual management to understand performance, remove waste and sustain gains.

Lead structured CI activity using WCM pillars, Kaizen events, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, 5S and Kanban.

Translate improvement ideas into measurable results across safety, quality, cost, delivery and morale.

Build strong business cases, manage budgets and deliver ROI through disciplined investment decisions.

Process, Asset & Change Governance

Ensure manufacturing processes are robust, controlled and continuously improved.

Drive asset reliability through autonomous maintenance and operator ownership.

Lead projects with clear governance, risk management (RAID), resource planning and delivery discipline.

People Leadership

Own the full employee lifecycle, developing people as strongly as processes.

Set clear objectives, conduct meaningful performance reviews and support wellbeing.

Act as a change leader, communicating purpose, progress and expectations with clarity and consistency.

About you

Essential

Degree, HND, NVQ Level 5 or equivalent in manufacturing, engineering or a related discipline.

Proven experience leading cultural change in a manufacturing environment, not just implementing tools.

Strong working knowledge of Lean, WCM, Six Sigma problem-solving and Kaizen deployment.

Confident people leader with the ability to coach, challenge and inspire teams.

Track record of delivering KPIs through engagement, standardisation and continuous improvement.

Strong understanding of H&S, ISO9001 and quality systems.

Financial awareness including budgeting, forecasting and cost control.

Able to interpret engineering drawings, PFMEAs and control plans.

Desirable

Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent CI qualification.

Experience with SAP or M3.

IOSH Managing Safely.

Project Management qualification.

This is an excellent role where you will be Person in Charge during the Night Shift, you will be installing operational and leadership change, working with a dedicated, skilled work force.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.

In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included