Production Manager

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

What does the role look like?

We're seeking a process driven Production Manager to lead day-to-day operations within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for a proactive leader who thrives on structure, performance excellence, and developing teams to achieve consistently high standards of safety, quality, and output. The ideal candidate will be from an industrial Manufacturing environment.

You'll play a key part in embedding greater compliance & driving production governance across the team, while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement throughout the production process.

*Lead and inspire a team of around 30 production staff, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational priorities.
*Drive a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement, underpinned by clear KPIs and performance standards.
*Manage daily production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to achieve delivery targets.
*Monitor and improve production efficiency, quality performance, and safety standards.
*Develop and coach team leaders and operators to enhance capability, engagement, and ownership.
*Utilise and evolve Continuous Improvement (CI) tools such as Lean, 5S, Root Cause Analysis, and Standard Work to optimise processes.
*Collaborate with engineering, planning, and quality functions to identify and resolve production challenges.
*Oversee performance tracking, absence management, and workforce development to ensure consistent operational performance.
*Promote adaptability and problem-solving to maintain high standards in a fast-moving environment.

What will you bring to the role?

Essential skills:
*Proven experience managing production operations in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
*Excellent leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
*Sound knowledge of production scheduling, resource management, and process optimisation.

Desirable skills:
*Excellent understanding of quality, safety, and compliance standards.
*Experience using and embedding Continuous Improvement methodologies.
*Analytical mindset with strong planning and organisational abilities.
*HNC/HND (or equivalent) in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related discipline.
*Adaptable, structured, and confident decision-maker with strong communication skills