Job description
Manufacturing Manager - Composites
Location: Belfast
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000+ (depending on experience)
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Manufacturing Manager to take on a senior leadership role within a pioneering engineering organisation at the forefront of high-performance composite manufacturing and advanced propulsion systems.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you will drive operational excellence, quality, and safety across complex manufacturing operations, supporting the delivery of cutting-edge engineering projects that are shaping the future of sustainable transport and innovation.
The Role
Reporting to the Production Director, the Manufacturing Manager will lead a large, multi-functional team in delivering high-quality composite and metallic assemblies to strict cost, schedule, and quality targets.
You will play a key role in developing manufacturing strategies, supporting new production introductions, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of up to 100 production staff, overseeing all day-to-day operations within the manufacturing function.
- Manage resource planning, work scheduling, and performance management of operational leads and team leaders.
- Build and maintain a strong health, safety, and environmental culture across the production environment.
- Ensure cost, quality, and delivery targets are consistently achieved.
- Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and operations teams to ensure seamless project delivery.
- Drive Lean and 5S manufacturing practices to optimise efficiency and minimise waste.
- Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance production capability, quality, and throughput.
- Support the recruitment, training, and development of direct labour teams.
- Contribute to long-term manufacturing strategy and industrialisation initiatives.
About You
- Degree-qualified (or equivalent experience) in a relevant engineering or manufacturing discipline.
- Proven track record in composite manufacturing, assembly, or low-volume, high-complexity production environments.
- Strong leadership and people management experience within a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
- Experienced in implementing Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to drive transformation and process optimisation.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Able to work under pressure while maintaining focus on quality and performance targets.
- Experience in new product introduction (NPI) and scaling manufacturing operations is highly desirable.
What's on Offer
- Highly competitive salary (£55,000 - £60,000+, depending on experience)
- Private medical insurance and health cashback plan
- Group income protection and life assurance (3× salary)
- Company pension scheme
- Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
- Annual travel card loan support
- 22 days annual leave plus 13 public/bank holidays (increasing with service)
- Regular social and wellbeing events for staff and families
- Genuine career progression within a fast-growing, high-technology environment
This is an outstanding opportunity for a motivated and experienced Manufacturing Manager to take a leading role in a company driving forward innovation in composite technology and sustainable engineering.
If this role could be of interest or you would like to have a chat about any other roles available, click apply or reach out to karl.yellop@vanrath.com for a confidential discussion.
INDKY
