Job Description

As a result of MBDA’s persistent increase in production and operational broadening, you have the chance to enter our sophisticated technology fabrication site as a Manufacturing Operations Manager, occupying a central position in directing delivery results and manufacturing quality.

Salary: Approximately £65,000 based on background

Hybrid Working: Four days weekly at the facility due to the nature of the work

Security Prerequisites: Must be a British Citizen or a Dual UK national holding British citizenship

Nationality or right-to-work constraints may be applicable. Following the offer phase, every finalist must pass HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) evaluations, overseen by our internal security unit.

Employee Rewards:

Corporate Incentive: Potential bonus reaching 21% of base pay
Retirement: Aggregate contributions (staff and firm) up to 14%
Work Flexibility: We are open to candidates seeking adaptable labor patterns
Family Support: Provides 26 weeks for adoption, maternity, or shared leave—with additional provisions for paternity, fertility, and neonatal care
Amenities: Superior site perks including meal subsidies, complimentary parking, and more…

The Prospect:

This position is perfect for an established fabrication head prepared for a wider scope, defining operational output, integrating top-tier standards, and aiding the fulfillment of intricate, vital defense projects. You might guide the expansion of high-capacity production lines or manage the shift of elaborate systems into consistent, reliable manufacturing while evolving operations to satisfy future requirements.

Role Benefits:

Direct and define the fabrication, assembly, and evaluation of elaborate defense and aerospace hardware
Function at the peak of quality evolution, operational enhancement, and manufacturing mastery
Impact strategic choices and results at the executive management level
Grow your management skills in a firm dedicated to perpetual progress and staff growth
Encounter significant operational hurdles, such as scaling new projects, balancing shifting production, and optimizing established workflows
Access defined pathways to Head of Manufacturing or executive roles for top achievers.

This represents a unique chance to establish a professional legacy and a lasting management career within a premier UK advanced fabrication entity.

Candidate Requirements:

We require:

Validated background as a Production, Operations, or Manufacturing Manager in a sophisticated, controlled setting (such as automotive, defense, or aerospace)
Evidence of directing diverse teams with a history of meeting schedule, cost, quality, and safety goals
Background in managing production scaling, industrializing new hardware, or balancing shifting lines
Proficiency in advancing continuous improvement through various lean methodologies and change management
Robust management skills that foster responsibility and pride in work, challenging existing methods through inclusive innovation
High-level engagement skills, functioning effectively alongside project, quality, and engineering units.

Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a similar field
Lean / Continuous Improvement credentials (Black Belt or Green Belt)
IOSH or equivalent safety certification
Familiarity with aerospace quality systems (like EN9100)

Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	MBDA UK
Location	Bolton, United Kingdom
Locality	Bolton
Country	United Kingdom
City	Bolton
Region	North West England
Job Type	Full-time
Salaries	Circa £65,000
Experience Level	Proven Manufacturing Leader
Travel	4 days per week on-site (Hybrid)
Language	English
Benefits	21% Bonus, 14% Pension, 26 weeks Parental Leave, Subsidised meals

Skills & Competency Table

Skill	Competency Level
Operations Management	Expert
Lean / Six Sigma	Advanced
Production Industrialisation	Expert
Stakeholder Engagement	Advanced
Change Management	Advanced
EN9100 Quality Framework	Proficient

Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Annual Salary	Bonus (21%)	Total Compensation	Notes
£65,000	£13,650	£78,650	Total excludes up to 14% pension contributions and other site benefits.

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Operations Manager at MBDA UK in Bolton leads the assembly and testing of complex defense systems. This pivotal role focuses on operational excellence, quality transformation, and production ramp-up. Candidates must be British Citizens capable of securing BPSS clearance to manage critical high-volume programs and multidisciplinary manufacturing teams.

FAQs

What are the security clearance requirements?

Applicants must be British Citizens or Dual UK nationals with British citizenship and pass BPSS checks.

How often do I need to be on-site?

The role follows a dynamic hybrid model requiring four days per week at the Bolton facility.

What is the maximum bonus potential?

Employees can earn a company bonus of up to 21% of their base salary.

Is a degree mandatory for this position?

A degree in Manufacturing or Engineering is listed as a desirable qualification, not a mandatory requirement.

What are the parental leave benefits?

MBDA offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, with enhancements for paternity and fertility.

Expert Analysis

This role is a high-stakes leadership position within the UK’s defense industrial base. The 21% bonus and 14% pension are significantly above industry averages. Success requires navigating stringent EN9100 frameworks while managing the industrialization of “sovereign” technologies, making it a career-defining move for aerospace or automotive operations experts.

Location & Logistics Guide

Bolton is a key industrial hub in North West England, offering excellent connectivity via the M61 and rail links to Manchester. The MBDA site features subsidised meals and free parking, easing the four-day on-site requirement.

Wikipedia URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton

Career Path

High performers in this role have a clear trajectory toward Head of Manufacturing or wider senior leadership within the Strata Group/MBDA hierarchy. The exposure to major ramp-up programs and quality transformation provides the necessary credentials for C-suite operations roles within the global aerospace and defense sectors.

To apply for this job please visit www.cv-library.co.uk.