Workshop Manager

Hydro Group manufactures bespoke subsea cable and connector assembly engineering for the oil and gas, marine renewable energy and defence industries.

We are certified to ISO 9001 and 14001:2015 to design and manufacture subsea electrical and optical connectors, electrical pressure hull penetrators, associated subsea electrical cable terminations, installation of electrical and optical connectors, specialist underwater and harsh environment electrical and optical composite cables, tethers and umbilicals. Our products are precision-engineered to withstand the harshest environmental conditions.

Position Summary

To lead, manage and coordinate all day-to-day workshop activities to ensure production targets are met in full, on time, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. This is a hands-on role responsible for managing people, processes, and equipment on the shop floor to meet operational goals in alignment with the wider business strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Relevant technical qualification (e.g. NVQ, HNC/HND, or apprenticeship) in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar is advantageous but not essential.
• Industry-recognised certifications such as Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt), IOSH/NEBOSH, or 5S/Kaizen training are desirable.

Experience

• Proven experience in a supervisory or team leader role within a manufacturing or production workshop environment.
• Hands-on background in cable assembly, connectors, or precision assembly manufacturing preferred.
• Track record of managing daily production schedules, output targets, and quality standards on the shop floor.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams including quality, stores, planning, and engineering support.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop shop floor teams in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume production setting.
• Experience in implementing lean manufacturing practices and driving continuous improvement initiatives in a practical environment.

Knowledge

• Solid understanding of production workflows, material control, and shop floor scheduling.
• Good working knowledge of ISO 9001, and Health & Safety standards (ISO 45001 or similar).
• Familiar with lean tools and continuous improvement practices such as 5S, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis, and visual management.
• Awareness of operational KPIs such as OTIF, yield, and downtime.
• Understanding of equipment maintenance principles and asset care within a manufacturing environment.
• Basic knowledge of ERP or MRP systems to support production planning and material availability.

Skills

• Strong team leadership and hands-on supervision skills in a workshop environment.
• Able to lead by example with a practical, proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written, for shop floor and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Competent in using Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word); familiarity with ERP systems is an advantage.
• Skilled in organising workloads, prioritising tasks, and managing changing production demands.
• Ability to coach and develop team members to build multi-skilled, high-performing teams.
• Focused on delivering quality, safety, and efficiency through structured processes and a culture of accountability.
• Comfortable working under pressure and capable of making quick, informed decisions on the shop floor.

Job Responsibilities

Workshop Operations & Product Quality

• Lead daily operations of the connector assembly workshop, ensuring all builds are completed on time, to the correct specification, and in full compliance with customer requirements.
• Ensure production activities adhere to ISO 9001 quality standards and internal work instructions, with a strong focus on right-first-time assembly.
• Supervise connector-related tasks including crimping, soldering, termination, potting, and testing.
• Maintain accurate production documentation and support traceability requirements for all assemblies.
• Monitor workshop practices to ensure high product quality and minimal rework or non-conformances.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, guide, and support a team of Cell Leaders, ensuring appropriate task allocation, skills utilisation, and output.
• Conduct daily briefings and regular one-to-ones to maintain engagement, address issues, and review performance.
• Support the training and development of the team through mentoring, competency skills assessments, and cross-training plans.
• Promote a strong culture of health and safety, ensuring all incidents or near misses are reported and actioned.

Material Readiness & Workflow Management

• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure all materials, components, and tools required for connector builds are available and of the correct quality.
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP) levels and ensure smooth workflow to meet production targets.
• Identify and escalate material shortages, equipment faults, or process blockers in a timely manner.
• Support inventory control by ensuring accurate part usage, traceability, and stock return procedures are followed.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor workshop performance metrics such as output, yield, downtime, and on-time delivery (OTIF).
• Lead root cause analysis for any quality or delivery issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives on the shop floor using Lean tools (5S, visual management, waste reduction).
• Encourage team involvement in problem-solving and efficiency improvement projects.

Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the key link between the workshop and departments including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales.
• Attend daily and weekly production meetings to provide updates on workshop progress, risks, and resource needs.
• Ensure effective communication both upwards to the Operations Manager and downwards to the shop floor team.
• Support the successful introduction of new products and process changes by collaborating with relevant stakeholders and ensuring production readiness.