Site Operations Lead

Site Operations Leader

Location: Cramlington

Salary: GBP65,000 to 75,000 per year, plus 10% bonus

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.30pm. Fridays, 8am - 1pm.

Job type: Full-time, permanent

EA Recruitment is helping one of our established clients recruit an experienced Site Operations Leader to join their ever-expanding team.

Responsibilities of the Site Operations Leader

• Coordinate daily SMT, THT, and assembly operations to meet production, quality, and delivery targets.


• Manage shop floor performance, resolving bottlenecks and minimizing downtime.


• Maintain production flow, zero WIP, and effective shift handovers.


• Ensure compliance with safety standards, procedures, and company policies.


• Lead Lean initiatives using 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping.


• Eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.


• Drive continuous improvement and root cause analysis.


• Promote a culture of quality and compliance with IPC and internal standards.


• Partner with QA and Engineering to resolve product and process issues.


• Provide technical leadership across SMT, THT, soldering, AOI, ICT, and functional testing.


• Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and process optimization to improve yield and reduce downtime.


• Drive equipment upgrades, automation, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.


• Mentor technical teams and coordinate with equipment suppliers on commissioning and improvements.


• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, line leaders, and operators.


• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.


• Implement Industry 4.0 technologies to improve connectivity, efficiency, and traceability.


• Leverage real-time data, predictive maintenance, and advanced analytics.


• Collaborate across functions to embed digital manufacturing practices.


• Manage production budgets, control costs, and support capital investment decisions.


• Track KPIs and provide data-driven reporting to support operational improvements.


• Build a high-performing production team and execute long-term operational strategies with the COO.


• Promote our clients core values and Code of Ethics.

Requirements of the Site Operations Leader

• Bachelors degree in Electronics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.


• 10+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a production leadership role.


• Strong knowledge of SMT, THT, and PCB assembly processes and equipment.


• Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Zero WIP practices.


• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.


• Experience with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing KPIs.


• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and complex industrial projects.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.


• Six Sigma certification or Lean Manufacturing certification.


• Experience in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume electronics manufacturing environment.


• Familiarity with Industry 4.0, automation, and digital manufacturing technologies.

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