Director of Manufacturing – Global Operations

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing to provide strategic leadership across our international manufacturing network. Reporting to the senior leadership team, you will shape the long‑term manufacturing strategy, ensure production capability aligns with growth targets, and drive operational excellence across multiple sites.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a long‑term manufacturing strategy aligned with commercial and operational objectives.
• Review and optimise the global manufacturing network to support growth, efficiency and customer requirements.
• Evaluate manufacturing and outsourcing options to maximise flexibility, quality and cost competitiveness.
• Lead strategic capacity planning and ensure capability meets future business demands.
• Establish consistent manufacturing standards, processes and best practices across all locations.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement and productivity initiatives.
• Champion automation, digital technologies and smart manufacturing innovations.
• Oversee capital investment programmes with robust business cases and ROI analysis.
• Support transition of new products from development to full‑scale manufacturing.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in global manufacturing environments.
• Strong track record of developing and executing manufacturing strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large, geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience in capacity planning, operational excellence and cost optimisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management with engineering, supply chain, procurement and commercial functions.

Required skills

• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Automation, digital technologies and smart manufacturing concepts.
• Capital investment planning and business case development.