Assistant Factory Manager-140k

Role Overview

This position is central to keeping a production facility running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. You will work alongside the Factory Manager to coordinate daily operations, with a strong focus on machinery reliability, maintenance planning, and the practical execution of improvement projects. Your work directly influences uptime, output quality, and the factory’s ability to meet production targets without compromising safety or environmental standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and supervise both preventive and corrective maintenance work across the plant, ensuring that maintenance teams have clear priorities and the resources they need.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and control system faults quickly, minimising unplanned downtime and coordinating with specialist technicians where needed.
• Support production planning by identifying bottlenecks, aligning maintenance windows with production schedules, and proposing practical adjustments to improve throughput.
• Manage the installation, commissioning, and qualification of new machinery, including coordinating contractors, overseeing testing, and ensuring smooth handover to operations.
• Enforce and promote compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, carrying out regular inspections and ensuring that all work is performed to the required standards.
• Monitor energy consumption, utility usage, and waste streams, identifying and implementing cost-reduction measures without affecting product quality or working conditions.
• Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methods, documenting changes, and tracking results against clear performance metrics.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• At least five years of hands-on experience working within a manufacturing, processing, or industrial production environment, including direct exposure to maintenance and plant operations.
• A strong working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems, including how maintenance and production activities support quality objectives and audit readiness.
• Proven analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to investigate root causes and implement lasting fixes rather than temporary workarounds.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including the ability to direct technicians, coordinate shifts, and communicate clearly with both shop-floor teams and management.
• Solid technical understanding of industrial machinery, factory utilities, and automated systems, along with familiarity with electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic components.
• The ability to stay calm and decisive under pressure, managing competing priorities and responding effectively to breakdowns or production disruptions.