Head of Manufacturing

Role Overview

The Head of Manufacturing position merges strategic leadership with direct operational management, ensuring cohesive coordination from tender stage through design, procurement, fabrication, assembly, and mechanical & electrical (M&E) fit-out. The main goal is to guarantee programme reliability, operational excellence, and scalable performance across all manufacturing facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and manage integrated planning processes encompassing Tendering, Design, Procurement, Production & fabrication, Assembly & modular construction, and M&E fit-out across multiple locations.
• Coordinate design finalization, procurement timing, and production scheduling to ensure smooth workflow.
• Guarantee consistent programme certainty for all active projects.
• Oversee and harmonize performance across several manufacturing and fit-out plants.
• Implement standardized processes, reporting frameworks, and working methods site-wide to maximize operational efficiency.
• Balance workloads and capacity among sites to achieve optimum productivity.
• Establish and apply operational KPIs that enhance planning and delivery effectiveness across departments.
• Ensure functional leaders meet KPI targets to uphold efficiency throughout operations.
• Continuously monitor real-time performance to identify and address risks or production bottlenecks promptly.
• Lead initiatives to improve productivity through refined planning, sequencing, and use of resources.
• Optimize cost, productivity, and delivery performance trade-offs.
• Align manufacturing capacity and skills with upcoming project pipelines.
• Maintain resource planning that supports company growth without compromising on delivery timelines.
• Contribute operational insights to bid and tender decisions based on capacity and risk evaluation.
• Promote a "right-first-time" philosophy to minimize rework, defects, and schedule delays in fabrication, assembly, and M&E installation.
• Drive ongoing improvement projects spanning all operational areas.
• Collaborate closely with design, procurement, production, assembly, and commercial teams.
• Provide support early in design and tendering to boost manufacturability and efficiency.
• Lead advancements in modularization, off-site construction techniques, and workflow optimization.
• Introduce systems and tools to enhance planning, tracking, and performance reporting.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across all teams involved.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven leadership managing multi-site manufacturing operations, particularly within M&E, modular or offsite construction, and structural steel or comparable project-driven industries.
• Strong capabilities in planning, sequencing, and delivering complex programmes.
• Experienced operating effectively at both strategic and hands-on operational levels.
• Track record of successfully improving productivity across diverse operations.
• Excellent influencing skills, able to lead senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• At least 10 years of relevant industry experience with responsibilities spanning multiple manufacturing sites.