Head of Production
Every business has a core function, which might be making something, supplying it or offering a service. But businesses also need a whole infrastructure around them to run, from marketing to personnel.
The head of production is there to ensure the smooth operation of that core function on which everything else depends. It’s a crucial task, and although there will be plenty of important interaction with the other departments, they will be steering the company’s profitability.
Another important role of the head of production will be overseeing the development of new products to take to market. In technical businesses, that could involve overseeing a research and development department or a team of engineers, but in more generic or creative industries such as fashion, managing designers and factories, and maintaining a supply chain, will be part of the job.
The skills required
Production is a wide-ranging subject, covering everything from food supply to creating aviation components, so managers tend to be drawn from within certain sectors as they have familiarity with the way business is done. That said, head of production jobs often go to candidates with a varied CV, as it shows they have a grasp of the principles of productivity that they can apply to various industries.
Whatever your background, you’ll need to show an ability to think strategically, as production line creation and research are long processes that need plenty of forward planning. That will also mean that you’re constantly dealing with current projects as well as those in development and brand new concepts that might be a decade away. And all the time, you’ll need great personal skills as it's the team below you, and the board, who need to be up to speed on developments and goals.
Head of Production Jobs in Aldershot
Aldershot is a town that has grown up around the British army. It was a small village surrounded by barely useable land until the Crimean War, when a military base was located there. Within a few years the population had exploded from less than a thousand to around 16,000, which is about half its current population. It is known as the home of the British Army, and several regiments are based there.
The Hampshire town is located about 30 miles (50 km) south west of the centre of London, 7 miles (12 km) west of Guildford and 16 miles (26 km) south east of Reading. It is at the centre of a large conurbation that takes in Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet and Camberley, and together the population is close to a quarter of a million. Immediately to the north of Aldershot is Farnborough, home of one of the UK’s most important air shows, which is both a trade fair for military and civilian aircraft and a public spectacle.
While Aldershot is dominated culturally and, to some extent, geographically by the barracks, there is a static population living in the town and its adjacent neighbours, and there is a diverse range of industry in the area. Logistics and Supply chain professionals looking for Head of Production work should therefore find rich pickings in Aldershot. It’s well connected to the transport network, with the M3 passing to its north and a comprehensive rails service. And failing that, you might be able to hitch-hike on a tank.
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Head of production recruitment at Cast UK
If you think you deserve a better head of production salary, Cast UK is where to start looking for your next career move.We only deal with managerial and executive level candidates, so you know that if you see a job on our boards, or if we contact you with a potential opening, it’s going to be a high quality position. Click the link below to register with us so we can contact you.
Recruitment is a two-way process, so if you’re an employer looking for a head of production, you can trust Cast UK to filter out the unqualified and cut straight to the chase with an excellent shortlist when you use us. If you’re looking for the perfect recruitment partner, call 0333 121 3345 and speak to one or our specialists.
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