Velocity Composites is strengthening its manufacturing leadership team with the recruitment of a new Production Manager at its Burnley facility, as the aerospace composites specialist continues to build the operational capability required to support future growth.
The Burnley-headquartered business is seeking an experienced and ambitious manufacturing leader to take responsibility for Production, Health & Safety, operational performance and continuous improvement at the site.
Reporting directly to Chief Operating Officer Oliver Smalley, the Production Manager will occupy a key leadership position within the business, working closely with production teams to develop people, strengthen processes and further enhance performance across safety, quality, delivery and productivity.
The appointment comes at an important stage for Velocity Composites as the company continues to develop its position within the international aerospace supply chain.
Velocity specialises in the manufacture of advanced composite material kits for aerospace customers, combining engineering expertise, digital technology, material management and manufacturing capability to help customers improve the efficiency of composite production.
For Smalley, developing the people responsible for delivering that capability is central to the company’s next phase.
“Manufacturing performance ultimately comes from having talented people, strong processes and a shared understanding of what excellent performance looks like,” said Smalley.
“This Production Manager position is an important appointment for Velocity because the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work directly with our teams in Burnley and help us continue developing a high-performing manufacturing operation capable of supporting our customers as their requirements grow.”
A major focus of the position will be leadership on the shop floor.
Velocity is looking for a hands-on Production Manager who can combine strategic thinking with day-to-day operational leadership, using manufacturing data to inform decisions while coaching and developing employees throughout the operation.
Training and upskilling will form an important part of the remit, alongside establishing clear performance measures and embedding a continuous improvement culture throughout production.
Smalley added:
“We want someone who enjoys being close to manufacturing and close to the people delivering it. There is a real opportunity here to develop capability within the existing team, encourage accountability and give people the tools and support they need to perform at their best.
“Continuous improvement is about creating an environment where teams understand the objectives, have access to meaningful data and are empowered to identify opportunities to make the operation even better.”
The recruitment also reflects the increasingly sophisticated manufacturing environment supporting modern aerospace programmes.
Advanced composite materials require carefully controlled processes, rigorous quality standards and close coordination between engineering, production, supply chain and customer requirements. Velocity’s model adds digital material management and engineered kitting to that environment, creating a manufacturing operation where operational leadership has a direct influence on customer performance.
While experience within aerospace or composites manufacturing would be advantageous, Velocity is also encouraging applications from accomplished manufacturing leaders across other industrial sectors.
The emphasis is on finding an individual with a proven ability to lead people, improve manufacturing performance and build scalable operational processes.
“Some of the strongest manufacturing ideas come from bringing together experience from different industries,” Smalley said.
“We are interested in leaders who understand operational excellence, who can develop people and who are excited by the opportunity to make a measurable contribution. For the right person, this is a chance to influence how our Burnley operation develops as Velocity moves through its next stage of growth.”
With responsibility spanning production performance, Health & Safety, people development and continuous improvement, the position provides the successful candidate with significant scope to influence the future manufacturing operation.
For Velocity Composites, the appointment represents another investment in the leadership, skills and operational capability behind its ambitions in the global aerospace market.
Applications for the Production Manager position at Velocity Composites are now open. Candidates can view the full vacancy and apply through the Production Manager vacancy on Indeed.
