Job Details

Position: Factory Manager

Location: Hertfordshire

Salary: £60-65K + benefits

Nicholas Associates have an excellent opportunity for a Factory Manager, to join an established client in the fabrication sector.

You will be responsible for the full operational management of our the fabrication factory, planning and overseeing all fabrication jobs from start to finish, ensuring staff, materials and machinery are scheduled effectively to meet project deadlines for our client's construction projects and for their customers. You will interpret technical drawings and metalwork specifications to guide production, monitor quality and productivity against defined KPIs, and own the factory budget.

You will combine strong technical fabrication knowledge with excellent leadership, planning and people management skills to run an efficient, safe and high-performing factory.

The role sits at the heart of the business, reporting directly to the Managing and Executive Directors and working closely with the design, estimating and project teams to ensure fabrication supports design and build projects across London and the South East.

Duties include leading and developing the factory team, managing health & safety and quality standards, driving continuous improvement, and liaising with clients and other departments on production capability and timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Factory Operations & Production Planning:
  • Own daily and weekly planning and scheduling of all fabrication jobs, including staff, materials, machinery and deliveries.
  • Process and progress new jobs through all stages of manufacture, ensuring on-time completion and efficient use of work/machine hours.
  • Carry out quality control at all stages of manufacture in line with the company Quality Management System.
  • Monitor, manage and continuously improve factory productivity against defined KPIs, reporting performance to the Managing and Executive Directors.
  • Produce simple quotations for metalwork where required, and liaise with clients and other departments on production capability and timelines.
• Team Leadership & People Management:
  • Lead, manage and develop a factory team of 5-8 people, acting as a visible example of company standards and culture.
  • Take full accountability for the wellbeing, conduct and performance of the factory team, including recruitment, induction, training, appraisals and disciplinary matters in conjunction with HR.
  • Manage and oversee the factory Drafter (direct report), reviewing and signing off drawings and specifications before they proceed to production, and ensuring drafting output is delivered to the timeline needed to hit production deadlines.
  • Plan staff resourcing and rotas to meet production demand, including cover for absence and peak workload periods.
  • Coach, mentor and develop team members, including identifying and developing future supervisors within the team.
• Health, Safety & Compliance:
  • Take ownership of Health & Safety within the factory, ensuring strict adherence to UK H&S law and company policy at all times.
  • Carry out and record regular risk assessments, safety inspections and toolbox talks.
  • Investigate any accidents, near misses or non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
  • Ensure machinery, equipment and the working environment are properly maintained, inspected and fit for purpose.
• Business Performance & Continuous Improvement:
  • Manage the factory operating budget, monitoring costs against targets and identifying opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across process, quality and productivity, using data and KPI measures to inform decisions.
  • Report regularly to the Managing and Executive Directors on factory performance, risks and improvement opportunities.
  • Manage relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors relevant to factory operations.
• Facilities & Equipment:
  • Ensure good upkeep, cleanliness and continuous improvement of the factory working environment.
  • Plan and oversee routine inspection, maintenance and calibration of factory machinery and equipment.
  • Manage machinery/equipment procurement and capital expenditure proposals as required.

Key Skills

Technical & Industry Knowledge:

• Strong, verifiable background in sheet metal or profile metal manufacturing/fabrication.
• Good understanding of technical drawings and metalwork specifications.
• Capability to operate, and to train others on, CNC metalworking machinery.

Leadership & Management Skills:

• Excellent team leadership skills with proven personal accountability for the wellbeing and performance of a team.
• Strong people management skills, including planning, delegation, performance management and staff development.
• Ability to lead by example and build a positive, high-performing team culture.

Planning & Organisational Skills:

• Strong work, staff, materials and machinery planning and scheduling skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.

Communication & IT Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced user level of MS Excel and similar spreadsheet software, comfortable working with numbers and technical data at pace.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking:

• Practical, pragmatic problem-solving with products and processes, particularly under pressure or tight deadlines.
• Ability to assess the ability and productivity of individual team members to get the best out of them.

Key Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 5 years' experience in a role directly linked to the manufacture of sheet or profile metalwork, including proven supervisory or management experience.
• Qualifications: Qualification in metal manufacturing or related operations; H&S training or qualification.
• Technical Literacy: Strong, demonstrable knowledge of technical drawings and metalwork specifications.
• Leadership: Proven planning & people-management skills.
• Personal Attributes: Personal accountability, excellent timekeeping and self-management, honesty and self-confidence.

Benefits

• Full Time
• Staged pay increase and Performance Bonus scheme.
• In-work training and education for new skills.
• Company pension scheme.
• Free on-site parking.
• Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health support.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.