Manufacturing Manager

Overview

Surface Transforms are experts in the development and production of carbon-ceramic materials and the UK's only manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brakes for automotive use.

Our mission is to "Innovate and develop a sustainable, world-leading, high-performance braking system to push performance boundaries to new levels. We invest in our people and processes to empower and enable profitable success."

Our values define how we work:

• Leadership - Decisive, united together, acknowledging success
• Collaboration - Empowering and challenging our entire team
• Communication - Thorough, inclusive, agile, and considered decisions
• Ambition - Resilience through brave and bold thinking
• Excellence - Continuously improving our high standards
• Trust - Autonomy to deliver, knowing you are fully supported

We are looking for two, highly driven Manufacturing Managers, to lead production operations and ensure On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery to our customers. You will be accountable for safe, efficient, and continuously improving production performance while driving operational excellence across multiple shifts.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring excellent communication, strong cross-functional collaboration, and a relentless focus on process discipline, KPIs, and results.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily production activities to achieve 98% OTIF as a non-negotiable standard.
• Own the 12-week production plan, ensuring capacity, labour, materials, tooling, and maintenance readiness.
• Drive adherence to schedules, freeze horizons, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Lead Tier 1 and Tier 2 daily operational meetings, escalating risks early to protect delivery commitments.
• Work cross-functionally with Procurement, Quality, Engineering, and Planning to remove constraints before they impact schedules.
• Deliver strong operational KPIs, including OEE, first-pass yield, scrap/rework reduction, and safety compliance.
• Lead structured problem-solving initiatives (8D/A3) and drive continuous improvement projects such as SMED, 5S, and visual management.
• Manage, coach, and develop 3 Shift Supervisors, enforcing uncompromising process discipline and performance standards.
• Ensure full compliance with HSE, regulatory requirements, and Quality Management Systems.

What you'll be doing

• Delivering the production plan on time, in full, and to the right quality standards.
• Proactively identifying risks to OTIF and driving countermeasures immediately.
• Monitoring operational KPIs and implementing improvements where required.
• Leading shift readiness reviews to ensure materials, tooling, and approvals are in place before production starts.
• Collaborating with Planning, Procurement, and Logistics to secure supply and manage shortages before they impact schedules.
• Driving improvements in changeover time, scrap levels, and efficiency through lean manufacturing methods.
• Developing and maintaining a high-performance culture, coaching Shift Supervisors to achieve operational excellence.
• Escalating systemic issues quickly to senior leadership for resolution.

The skills, knowledge, and experience you'll need

• Proven experience as a Manufacturing Manager or similar leadership role in a high-volume or high-mix production environment.
• 7+ years' experience in manufacturing with demonstrable success delivering OTIF, OEE, and FPY improvements.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement tools (5S, SMED, A3, problem-solving, visual management).
• Experience managing multi-shift operations and leading teams across different rotations.
• Hands-on understanding of scheduling, capacity planning, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001 / IATF 16949) and HSE standards.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.

You'll have these personal attributes

• Relentless focus on achieving OTIF and operational performance targets.
• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Decisive and proactive, escalating issues quickly when required.
• Natural leader who sets high standards and holds teams accountable.
• Collaborative and cross-functional approach, ensuring alignment across departments.
• Committed to continuous improvement and coaching others to succeed.

What we'll give you in return

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Extra day annual leave for your birthday
• An autonomous working environment with clear accountability
• Opportunities for internal progression and career development
• Death-in-service benefit scheme
• Access to a confidential employee assistance programme

Shifts: Monday - Friday: 6am - 2pm, 2pm - 10pm

Salary: £60,000 inclusive of shift allowance