Production Manager

Safran Nacelles is a worldwide leader in aircraft engine nacelles. Our products and services equip all aircraft types; regional, business, short, medium and long-range commercial aircraft. Our expertise covers nacelle design, manufacturing, integration, maintenance and services

Production Manager - Assemblies
Burnley
37 Hours | Monday-Friday
On-site

What's in it for you?

At Safran, excellence is a journey, and we'd love you to be part of it.
Safran is a global leader in aerospace, defence and space, employing over 100,000 people worldwide. At Safran Nacelles, we design, manufacture and support aircraft nacelles for many of the world's leading aircraft programmes. Our Burnley site is a centre of excellence, delivering innovative aerospace solutions while investing in the development of our people.

As a valued member of our team, you'll benefit from:

- 37 hour working week over 4.5 days with a 1pm Finish on Fridays (Role dependant)
- 25 days' holiday + bank holidays (plus the option to buy an additional 5 days)
- 10% employer pension contribution (5% employee contribution with the option to increase via salary exchange)
- Flex-time scheme that allows you to take two half days or one full day off per month (Role dependant)
- 4X life insurance benefit as a member of the pension scheme
- Non-contributory BUPA private medical insurance plan (Role Dependant)
- Excellent training, education, and development schemes
- Enhanced sickness, maternity, adoption and paternity leave
- Option to purchase Safran shares with additional free shares from the company
- Excellent on-site catering facilities providing subsidised hot and cold meals
- Corporate membership at the Crow Wood Hotel & Spa: Use of fitness suites, classes, pool & sauna, offering 54% discount as a gold member.
- Wellbeing support through our employee assistance programme: 24/7 mental health support, access to remote GP appointments, medical second options, and physiotherapy
- Cycle to work scheme, along with a range of flexible benefits chosen by you!

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Production (Process) Manager - Assemblies to lead and manage an assembly manufacturing area, ensuring customer demand is achieved safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

You will be responsible for delivering operational performance across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP), leading a team within a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment and driving a culture of continuous improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to work cross-functionally to meet production commitments while maintaining compliance with quality, safety and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage the assembly manufacturing area to deliver production plans and customer commitments.
• Ensure SQCDP targets are achieved or exceeded.
• Monitor production performance and adjust resources and schedules as required.
• Lead daily control room and production meetings with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure adherence to manufacturing schedules and standard operating procedures.
• Manage quarantine, scrap, and rework activities within the work centre.
• Maintain visual management boards and report operational KPIs.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Drive First Pass Yield and Right First Time performance.
• Champion QRQC, 5 Why, and Root Cause Corrective Action methodologies.
• Lead investigations into quality issues and implement robust corrective actions.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering teams to improve processes and performance.
• Ensure compliance with QMS requirements, special processes and customer standards.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost and improve efficiency.

People Management

• Lead, coach and develop a team of operators and team leaders.
• Manage performance, attendance, disciplinary and grievance processes.
• Support recruitment and workforce planning activities.
• Identify training needs and ensure competency requirements are met.
• Conduct regular team briefings and performance reviews.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong safety-first culture.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• Conduct safety inspections, 5S audits and workplace assessments.
• Lead accident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure appropriate resource allocation across the work centre.

Business & Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering and Programme teams.
• Support cross-functional improvement initiatives and transfer of work activities.
• Represent Safran with customers, suppliers and external stakeholders as required.
• Support strategic manufacturing and operational improvement projects.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Manufacturing or production management experience
• Proven people leadership and team management capability
• Experience managing operational KPIs and performance targets
• Strong understanding of SQCDP principles
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience
• QRQC, 5 Why and RCCA problem-solving methodologies
• Production planning and resource management experience
• Quality management and First Pass Yield improvement experience
• Knowledge of QMS, SMS and 5S systems
• Budget and cost control experience
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to drive accountability and performance within teams

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Aerospace manufacturing experience
• Assembly manufacturing environment experience
• Lean Six Sigma qualification
• Engineering or Manufacturing qualification
• MPS (Master Production Schedule) knowledge
• Special process knowledge
• Customer-facing experience
• Project management experience
• Transfer of work and industrialisation experience
• Accident investigation and corrective action experience