Site Operations Lead - Electronics

Site Operational Lead - Electronics North East | Permanent | From £75k + 15% bonus (up to 20%) + pension + healthcare Reporting to: COO About the Opportunity A newly built electronics assembly site in the North East is entering a major growth phase, with new product lines and continuous investment planned year after year. We’re looking for a results‑driven Site Operations Leader to take full ownership of the operation and develop it into a world‑class, best‑in‑class manufacturing facility. You’ll lead the evolution of the site — driving Lean, zero‑WIP, zero‑defect, and zero‑stoppage performance, while embedding Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing practices. This is a rare chance to shape a modern electronics manufacturing environment from the ground up. Production & Operations * Oversee SMT, THT, and assembly operations with the senior Production Manager * Ensure efficient, high‑quality, low‑downtime production * Maintain zero WIP through smart planning, takt optimisation, and flow management * Drive real‑time decision‑making on the shop floor * Ensure full compliance with safety, standards, and procedures Lean, CI & Process Excellence * Champion Lean tools: 5S, Kaizen, VSM, Kanban * Eliminate waste, reduce cost, and improve flow * Lead CI projects and root‑cause investigations Quality Leadership * Embed a culture of world‑class quality and IPC compliance * Partner with QA/QE to resolve non‑conformances and improve FPY People Leadership * Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, line leaders, and operators * Build a high‑performance, accountable, continuous‑learning culture Digital Transformation * Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 tools and data‑driven decision‑making * Implement scalable digital solutions: predictive maintenance, digital twins, automated data capture, advanced analytics Financial & Strategic Ownership * Manage budgets, cost control, and investment planning * Deliver KPI‑driven insights and performance reporting * Partner with the COO on long‑term operational strategy What You Bring * Degree in Electronics, Industrial Engineering, or similar * 10+ years in electronics manufacturing, including 5+ in leadership * Deep expertise in SMT, THT, PCBA processes and equipment * Proven Lean/Zero‑WIP implementation experience * Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills * Experience with ERP/MES and manufacturing KPIs * Six Sigma or Lean certification * Background in high‑mix, low‑to‑medium volume environments * Familiarity with Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing technologies Whys You’ll have the autonomy, investment, and strategic backing to build a truly world‑class electronics manufacturing site — shaping its culture, capability, and long‑term direction. Start People is the Assigned Agency for this position