Head of Production

Job Description

Location: Glasgow, United KingdomIn fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence,security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrows possible.Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technologyand services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across five major industries; Aerospace, Defence, Ground Transportation, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us andthat’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle andhelps you reach your ambitions.A new and exciting opportunity for a Head of Production to join our dedicated manufacturing facility in Glasgow. Working within a high value, electrical and mechanical assembly environment, this is great opportunity for someone take ownership of day today operations within production.The role is being offered as fulltime over Monday to Thursday.Our OpportunityReporting into the Head of Industry, you will be accountable for the end-to-end delivery of the product / service, interfacing with Procurement and Engineering teams to support the schedule adherence and quality of Thales products / services. Leading andmanaging industrial activities to achieve schedule adherence within cost parameters established in the operating plan/budget, whilst achieving a quality standard that will meet or exceed the customer’s specifications in a safe and secure environment.In conjunction with the Site Head of Industry develop and implement a strategic vision of the OME manufacturing activities at Glasgow. Ensuring this is fully integrated with Thales OME in the UK, the Glasgow site and UK ICC wider industrial strategy. TheHead of Production will also drive the transformation of New Product Introduction in OME to deliver Industrialised products to Industry prior to Customer Need dates.Production operations currently consists of 6 cell managers who will report directly into the Head of Production. In addition, we have plans for a New Product Introduction function team, which will indirectly report to the Head of Production.Principal accountabilities and Key responsibilities include:

• To achieve the Master Production Schedule (contained within the ERP) for all associated production and support activities. This must be achieved within the cost parameters defined in the operating plan or project EAC (estimate at completion).
• To enhance competitiveness through continual improvement of functional processes.
• Responsible for Quality Control and to ensure all processes are carried out in accordance with company procedures (Chorus).
• Ensure labour allocation and physical resources are available, optimised and maintained to deliver the Master Production Schedule within budget and cost constraints.
• Lead, develop and motivate an effective work team built on mutual trust and open communication, which is continually focused on the customer.
• To co-ordinate support from other Functional areas as and when required.
• Ensure that all team members understand their role and performance in achieving the team plan.
• Achieve the optimum levels of work-in-progress by effective shop floor daily scheduling and management through the application of appropriate Lean techniques and principles.
• Establish and maintain excellent housekeeping (5S) in line with best practice lean methodologies
• Key Contributor for HSE activities within the Industry area – this will ensure compliance to HSE Risk Assessments and PPE is driven through the APRU Managers. A safe and secure operating environment is the primary importance.
• Provide first line response to all human resourcing/people matters. Prepare and implement appropriate personal development/training plans for each member of the team to enable them to fully contribute to the team performance and to ensure the correct skillsare in place to deliver the company’s current and future plans.
• Accountable for the integrity of information fed into the manufacturing management systems.
• Lead the introduction and management of change, and the development of a continuous improvement culture
• Deliver the TIOM minimum standards to deliver Operational Excellence

Activity on site is largely electrical mechanical assembly, meaning certain processes (such as fabrication and machining) are subcontracted out. It is essential that the successful post holder to forge solid working relationships with supply chain.About you:You will have proven experience of managing a large electrical and mechanical assembly / production / manufacturing facility, preferably with high value goods.Other key attributes include;

• Operations management and control
• Lean/continuous improvement techniques and change management.
• Development of people though appraisal, influencing, coaching and motivational skills
• Effective stakeholder management (Excellent communication skills)
• Operational financial awareness, including operational budgets and factory cost modelling
• Effective management of complex industrial activities and projects
• Knowledge of MRP2 principles

Due to the nature of the goods produced, successful candidates will have to be British passport holders and be eligible for security clearance.In line with Thales Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearancewhich can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branchingout into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensu