This is a transformational key role within an established and highly respected engineering organisation, offering the opportunity to join its operations team at a state-of-the-art facility in Southampton. With over 50 years of innovation, the company has consistently led its industry through the design and manufacture of cutting-edge technology, supplying a global customer base and setting the benchmark for quality and performance.You will have the opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact on production capabilities by taking ownership of multiple production lines and driving performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced, high-energy manufacturing environment. With full accountability for operational delivery, you will play a central role in shaping the future direction of production, ensuring capacity, quality and output align with ambitious growth plans. Experience within fibre optics, photonics or laser-based technologies would be an advantage, although this is not essential.You will need to demonstrate a proven track record in operations and production management, with a strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and the ability to successfully oversee multiple production lines within a high-tech engineering environment.Providing strong operational leadership, you will develop and coach teams to achieve excellence while fostering a culture of safety, accountability and innovation. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders across engineering, supply chain and wider business functions, you will help deliver strategic objectives, support new product introduction and enhance overall operational performance.This opportunity is ideally suited to a driven and forward-thinking manufacturing professional with a proven track record in production management within a lean environment. You will bring strong leadership capability, a proactive mindset and the ability to influence at all levels, alongside a passion for continuous improvement and delivering results in a dynamic setting.Requirements:Broad knowledge of the entire operations chain with a minimum of three years manufacturing experienceExperience working with a wide range of stakeholders, including finance, procurement and engineering/designExperience using ERP systems such as SAPJBRP1_UKTJ