Production Manager (clean room), Southampton

Production Manager Southampton Permanent£55,000 £60,000 + Benefits An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Production Manager (clean room environment) to join a leading high-technology manufacturing business. This is a key leadership role within the operations team, responsible for driving performance across production,safety, quality, continuous improvement, and delivery. The successful candidate will lead a production unit within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, ensuring operational excellence while supporting business growth and customer satisfaction on a global scale.The Role As Production Manager, you will take overall responsibility for the performance and day-to-day management of your production area. You will lead and develop teams, drive Lean manufacturing initiatives, and work cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, HR, and Operations to achieve strategic business objectives.You will play a critical role in improving efficiency, reducing costs, supporting new product introduction activities, and ensuring production capability aligns with customer demand. Key Responsibilities Lead and promote a strong health, safety, and environmental culture across the production areaDrive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives within a Lean manufacturing environment Monitor and manage production KPIs, implementing corrective actions where required Deliver productivity and cost reduction projects, including scrap reduction and manufacturing efficiency improvementsCommunicate production targets and business objectives clearly across teams Support strategic operational planning and production development activities Collaborate closely with Engineering teams on new product introduction and manufacturing readiness activities Build strong working relationships across Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, HR, and Engineering functionsEnsure appropriate staffing levels, capability planning, and skills development within the production team Maintain inventory accuracy and effective stock management within the production area Lead, coach, and develop team members to achieve high performance and engagement About You We are looking for a proactive and driven manufacturing leader with strong people management skills and experience operating within a modern Lean manufacturing environment.You will be analytical, organised, and capable of balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership in a fast-moving production setting. Required Experience Previous experience in a Production Manager or similar leadership role within manufacturing Strong Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experienceExperience working collaboratively with cross-functional business teams including Engineering, Procurement, HR, and Finance Experience using ERP systems within a manufacturing environment Strong planning and production capacity management experience Good IT skills including spreadsheets, reporting, and communication toolsExperience within high-precision, electronics, optical, or advanced manufacturing environments would be advantageous Qualifications Ideally degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related discipline Lean Manufacturing qualification or equivalent practical experience would be beneficialWhat Were Looking For Strong leadership and coaching capability Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Data-driven and solution-focused approach to problem solving Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively Self-motivated and adaptable within a dynamic environment Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to operational deliveryStrong attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement If you are an experienced Production Manager looking to join an innovative and growing advanced manufacturing business, we would love to hear from you. TPBN1_UKTJ