Production Leader

Job Description

Job Title: Production Leader

Location: Rochester – Full time onsite

Salary: Circa £43,000 (DOE)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

As a Production Leader, you’ll play an important role in delivering manufacturing excellence across a range of projects throughout their lifecycle, from development and production through to in-service support. Supporting an Integrated Manufacturing Team, you’ll help ensure products are manufactured or repaired in line with operational plans, quality requirements and delivery commitments, supporting the successful delivery of key customer programmes.

Working closely with operations, engineering, quality and supply chain teams, you’ll contribute to continuous improvement, operational performance and efficient manufacturing processes. This role offers exposure to multi-layered production environments, opportunities to develop leadership and operational management skills, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to the delivery of innovative products and capabilities across BAE Systems.

Core duties:

• Overseeing an Integrated Manufacturing Team to deliver products safely, on time and to quality requirements
• Managing labour costs and operational performance to support efficient and effective programme delivery
• Driving quality improvements throughout manufacturing activities, ensuring products meet customer and business standards
• Supporting the development of team capability through coaching, training and performance management activities
• Collaborating with engineering, quality, supply chain and operational teams to deliver continuous improvement strategies and programme goals

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrable experience working within a manufacturing environment, supporting production, delivery and operational performance values
• Previous leadership experience, coordinating teams, allocating resources and supporting performance and capability development
• Experience planning and coordinating operational activities, balancing short-term priorities with longer-term business objectives
• Considerable problem-solving skills, using data and operational insight to identify and implement improvements
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and business systems, with good organisational and stakeholder engagement experience

The Operations – Civil Value Stream:

Supporting the delivery of advanced products across development, production and in-service support programmes, this function brings together manufacturing experience, quality and continuous improvement. Working across multi-faceted project lifecycles, it plays a key role in delivering operational excellence, customer commitments and future business growth.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 19th June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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