Production Manager

We are actively seeking an exceptional, highly driven, and experienced Production Manager to direct, optimise, and scale operations within our clients fast-paced machine shop. Their facility operates at the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge engineering, featuring comprehensive precision toolmaking suites, manual machining cells, and advanced multi-axis CNC machinery.

As the Production Manager, you will serve as the operational backbone of our manufacturing floor. You will orchestrate every phase of the production lifecycle: from raw material staging and job capacity planning to the final quality sign-off and dispatch. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of shop-floor leadership, deep technical knowledge of subtractive manufacturing processes, and the strategic agility required to satisfy rigorous client deadlines without compromising precision, safety, or quality standards.

Core Objective: Lead a multi-disciplinary machining team, streamline workflows across CNC, manual, and toolmaking departments, drive on-time delivery metrics, and foster a culture of engineering excellence and continuous workforce development.

Detailed Responsibilities & Duties

Strategic Production Planning & Capacity Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain master production schedules that optimise machine uptime, balance operator workloads, and consistently meet demanding project delivery dates.
• Analyse engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications to forecast cycle times, tooling requirements, and raw material throughput.
• Oversee production scheduling across diverse operations, managing the handoffs between design engineers, manual machinists, CNC programmers, toolmakers, and quality control inspectors.
• Actively identify workflow bottlenecks, material shortages, and machine downtime risks, taking decisive preventative action to maintain uninterrupted floor productivity.

Machine Shop Oversight: Toolmaking, Manual & CNC Operations

• Provide direct technical and operational management across all operational units, including CNC Milling, CNC Turning, multi-axis machining centers, manual lathes, mills, grinders, and dedicated precision toolmaking cells.
• Collaborate with toolmakers and fixture designers to streamline the production of precision jigs, fixtures, dies, molds, and specialized manufacturing tooling.
• Implement Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs to ensure critical equipment is serviced, calibrated, and maintained to the highest operational standards.
• Manage the procurement, stock control, and lifecycle optimization of tooling inserts, fixtures, raw bar stock, coolants, and shop consumables.

Job Allocation & Dynamic Workflow Execution

• Evaluate daily work orders and intelligently assign jobs to specific machines and personnel based on individual machinist proficiencies, equipment tolerances, and lead times.
• Monitor real-time progress on the shop floor, dynamically re-routing jobs or adjusting shift priorities in response to urgent customer change orders, rush jobs, or machine servicing.
• Maintain clear traceability for all active jobs utilizing ERP/MRP systems, updating job routing sheets, work-in-progress (WIP) stages, and labor tracking metrics.

Team Leadership, Mentorship & Workforce Training

• Directly manage, motivate, and mentor a diverse workforce of apprentice machinists, experienced manual operators, CNC setters/programmers, and master toolmakers.
• Conduct structured performance appraisals, establish actionable career development pathways, and set clear KPIs for individual and team performance.
• Design and execute comprehensive training programs aimed at cross-skilling operators across both manual and CNC systems, thereby increasing operational redundancy and capability.
• Nurture an inclusive, high-morale work environment anchored in accountability, professional pride, and continuous learning.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

• Enforce zero-defect quality policies throughout every stage of fabrication, machining, surface finishing, and assembly.
• Partner with the Quality Assurance department to uphold ISO 9001 (and other relevant aerospace/automotive/medical) manufacturing standards.
• Direct Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations following non-conformances, implementing systemic process modifications to prevent recurrence.
• Enforce strict occupational health and safety (OH&S) standards, ensuring complete compliance with PPE mandates, machine guarding rules, and hazardous waste handling regulations.

Candidate Qualifications & Technical Competencies

We are seeking a candidate who combines hands-on machining heritage with modern industrial management expertise. Suitable applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

• Machining Background: Time-served machinist, toolmaker, or holder of a recognised mechanical engineering qualification with extensive hands-on experience in manual and CNC manufacturing environments.
• Management Experience: Minimum of 5+ years in a supervisory or management role (e.g., Machine Shop Manager, Production Supervisor, Manufacturing Operations Lead).
• Deep Technical Literacy: Strong practical understanding of CNC programming, manual machining practices.
• Toolmaking Mastery: Working comprehension of tool design, jig and fixture manufacturing, precision grinding, and custom die assemblies.
• Digital Proficiency: Advanced operational knowledge of ERP/MRP platforms for capacity scheduling, job tracking, and inventory control, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.
• Analytical Mindset: Demonstrated capacity to manage competing deadlines, rapidly re-prioritize workloads under pressure, and drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• Interpersonal Skills: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the capability to lead shop floor teams, collaborate with executive leadership, and communicate directly with clients when needed.

At Recra Ltd, we believe that great people come from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process where everyone is treated with fairness, respect, and equal opportunity.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know—we’re here to help.

Recra Ltd is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout every stage of the recruitment journey.

In accordance with the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, Recra Ltd acts as an Employment Agency when recruiting for permanent vacancies and as an Employment Business when supplying temporary or contract workers.

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