Operational Lead - Projects

Role Information

Operational Lead - Projects
Salary up to £55,000 DOE
Merthyr Tydfil South Wales
Onsite role
Starting August 2026

Why join Marshall Land Systems in this role:

The Operational Lead will support the Production Operations Manager by leading project focused initiatives across the production site to ensure our deliveries and deadlines are met.

The role is responsible for coordinating, planning, and delivering operational projects that improve production efficiency, optimise capacity, and ensuring production output is optimised to support business requirements.

Acting as a bridge between production, engineering, PMO and support functions, the Operations Lead ensures operational initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with business objectives.

Your responsibilities in this role include:

Managing specific day‑to‑day production operations to ensure output targets, quality standards and delivery schedules are met
Manage production workflows, resources, and capacity across shifts and lines
Implement operational strategies aligned with business goals
Coordinate cross-functional teams including Production, Engineering, QHSE, and Supply Chain to ensure successful delivery
Develop project plans, define objectives, allocate resources & track progress against timelines and
Identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies, escalating issues as required
Support improvements and standardisation initiatives across production programmes Monitor and report on project KPIs, ensuring data-driven insights inform decision-making Assist in resource planning and allocation to meet project and operational requirements Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and Health & Safety regulations Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across teams Point of escalation for any team/performance issues Support the Production Operations Manager with ad-hoc operational analysis and project
Apply if you have most of the following;

Significant experience in a production/operations leadership role within a manufacturing or assembly environment
Proven experience delivering operational or production-based projects within a live production setting
Experience working directly with shop floor teams (e.g. Assembly Line Supervisors, Team Leaders) to deliver output and performance targets
Demonstrable experience managing production performance (output, efficiency, quality, downtime) alongside project delivery
Strong understanding of production planning, line balancing, and capacity management
Experience resolving operational issues such as bottlenecks, resource constraints, and process inefficiencies
Track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives within production environments
Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and PMO

Technical skills/qualifications:

Strong knowledge of manufacturing/production operations, including assembly processes, line management, and performance metrics
Ability to operate effectively within a live production environment while delivering project outcomes
Understanding of production planning, scheduling, and capacity optimisation
Experience using production/ERP/MRP systems to manage workflows and resources
Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret production KPIs and drive improvement actions
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project (or similar planning tools)
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies (desirable)
Understanding of Health & Safety and quality standards within manufacturing environments
Relevant qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or equivalent experience (desirable)

Additional local needs:

Onsite role
Successful candidates will need to be eligible for SC (Security Clearance)

The benefits for this role include:

Opportunity to develop operational leadership and project management capabilities within a production environment
Exposure to multi-programme delivery and strategic operational initiatives
Potential progression to Production Operations Manager or other senior operational leadership roles

Marshall Land Systems is a Canadian-owned global company with an unrivalled pedigree of British engineering excellence. From its origins in Cambridge, UK, through more than a century of innovation, pioneering advances from the nose of Concorde to the early Hydrogen fuel cell technology that ultimately powered the moon landings, Marshall engineers now continue to innovate specialist vehicles and infrastructure for NATO forces across the world. From bomb disposal vehicles to deployed shelters, from command and control to CT scanners on the battlefield, Marshall Land Systems protects people in critical situations with the very best in engineering. It employs 600 people with major facilities the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.

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