Manufacturing Operations Manager Spacecraft Production · Bordon

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.; Guildford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer is seeking a Site Manager for their Bordon Manufacturing Facility. The role includes responsibility for daily operations, health and safety compliance, and production planning. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably within the aerospace sector, along with strong leadership skills. This position offers opportunities for team development and constant improvements in efficiency and quality. Travel to the Guildford site is required for management meetings.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably in space/aerospace.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and composite manufacturing techniques.
• Experience with materials control and health and safety operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure health and safety compliance.
• Manage production planning and inventory control.
• Lead and develop a team for efficient production and quality standards.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

CNC machining

Team leadership

Health and safety compliance

Continuous improvement

Education

ONC/HNC or Degree in Mechanical, Materials, or Production Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

SAP

Job description

Reports To

Production Director

Key Purpose of Job

This role is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the Bordon Manufacturing Facility. The position takes ownership of day-to-day facility operations, health and safety compliance, production planning, materials control, stakeholder management, while also leading a team to ensure efficient production, adherence to quality standards, and delivery to schedule.

Responsible For

• Leadership and Site Management
• Production and Process Management
• Site Materials and Inventory Control
• Customer and Stakeholder Management

Key Tasks

• Act as the Site Manager for the Bordon Manufacturing Facility, overseeing day-to-day operations, health and safety compliance, and production output.
• Line management of direct reports, including team development, training, and succession planning.
• Primary point of contact for the Bordon site and management-level interface with SSTL Guildford.
• Collaborate with the Health & Safety Manager to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including operational hazard risk management and COSHH.
• Oversee the production plan through ERP to support project demands and external customer requirements.
• Generate and maintain manufacturing requirement plans and align them with production plans.
• Review and resolve production capacity clashes, including make/buy decisions and external manufacturing.
• Support internal and external audits, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, addressing corrective actions (CARs) and observations.
• Ensure Design for Manufacture (DFM) considerations are incorporated during project and engineering reviews.
• Oversee Bordon Materials Control and Goods In, ensuring stock accuracy, adherence to stock control measures, and compliance with shelf-life requirements.
• Maintain accurate records for hazardous materials (COSHH) and ensure the security of warehouse/stores areas.
• Attend customer-facing meetings, reviews, and progress updates to represent the Bordon facility.
• Coordinate and manage external work while providing customer reporting.
• Work closely with Composites DFM colleagues to provide schedule and cost input for bid activities related to internal and external projects.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and proactively address potential single points of failure.
• Other activities and responsibilities as delegated by the Production Director, including acting as delegate in certain meetings / forums.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Previous Experience

• Proven experience in manufacturing engineering, ideally in the production of complex mechanical and composite assemblies in a high-precision, high-value, and low-volume environment (preferably space/aerospace).
• A thorough understanding of mechanical and composite manufacturing techniques, including CNC and manual machining principles and processes.
• Experience with materials control and ERP/MRP systems, with knowledge of SAP advantageous but not essential (training provided).
• Experience in facility management and health and safety operations, including COSHH management.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills

• ONC/HNC or Degree in Mechanical, Materials, or Production Engineering.
• A strong educational background with additional training in leadership is advantageous.
• IOSH Managing Safely would be advantageous.

Location

Bordon (primary), with frequent visits to Guildford (e.g. fortnightly management meetings, travelling time paid)