Activity Manager

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Our Opportunity

As Production Activity Manager, you will report into the Site Manager and ensure 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.

Location: Crossgar

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• To achieve the Master Production Schedule (contained within the ERP) for all Production and support activities within the cell. This must be achieved within the cost parameters defined in operating plan or project EAC.
• Full accountability for the recurring Unit Production Costs of the products within the cell. Continually monitor cost performance and implement remedial action plans when performance is above target.
• To enhance competitiveness through continual improvement of functional processes and adoption of best practices.
• Develop and present ROI proposals to senior management for the introduction of new technologies and ways of working to improve operational performance and achieve strategic goals and product competitiveness. Once these are approved then manage these objectives to deliver the improvements.
• Ensure labour allocation and physical resources are available, optimised and maintained to deliver the Master Production Schedule within budget and cost constraints.
• Development, motivate and maintain an effective work team built on mutual trust and open communication which is continually focused on the customer.
• To utilise the resources under their control to achieve maximum efficiency in terms of output, quality and costs, and obtain support from other entities when required.
• Ensure all Production activities are carried out in accordance with customer and company procedures (Chorus).
• Plan, implement and control production operating plans / targets and ensure adequate timely management/team reporting of same.
• 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.
• Through the effective management of the natural team, strive to create a culture of continuous improvement whilst meeting or exceeding customer quality standards.
• Manage Material Review Board and co-ordinate the interface with Facilities so corrective and preventive action is in place enabling achievement of the Master Production Schedule.
• Maintain housekeeping (5s) standards are established and maintained.
• Accountable for all HSE activities within the cell - this will include establishing and maintaining all area risk assessments, control of Personal Protection Equipment and the training and heath surveillance of all staff. Maintenance of 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 skills are 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.

Due to the nature of the production schedule, there may be a very rare requirement for you to support the nightshift.

About You

You will either have proven experience in a similar Manufacturing Management role and ideally formal qualification or training. Your experience would ideally come from within world-class aerospace industrial activity and low/medium volume manufacturing.

With a working knowledge of continuous improvement, problem solving and change management in an industrial environment. You will also have an understanding of total supply chain disciplines (Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Delivery, Supplier Quality Assurance, Logistic/Delivery).

Other attributes required include:

• An understanding of best practice MRP/ERP and other industrial toolsets
• Operational Financial awareness, including operational budgets and factory cost modelling
• Operations management and control
• Lean/continuous improvement techniques and change management.
• Knowledge of MRP2 practices
• Effective stakeholder management
• Development of people though appraisal, influencing, coaching and motivational skills
• Effective management of complex industrial activities and projects
• Strong understanding of lean aspects (one piece flow, line balancing, layout)
• Excellent communication skills (understanding expectations of stakeholders), in an international environment.

What We Can Offer

We are committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you will have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

If you are interested in this role, we would encourage you to have informal chat with the Talent Acquisition Partner.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!