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 Milton Keynes
Situated in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes is a new town that was designated in 1967. At the time, it was selected due to its more-or-less equal distance from Birmingham, London, Leicester, Cambridge and Oxford.
Before it was a new town, however, Milton Keynes was a village - and one with an intriguing history. Early settlements in the area date back to the Iron Age, while other inhabitants over the centuries included Romans, Normans and the Anglo-Saxons.
Today, Milton Keynes comprises a number of communities. Bletchley, for instance was an important location during the second world war - it was home to the Government Code and Cypher School, where Alan Turing (often called the father of computer science) helped to crack the Enigma code. Meanwhile, Bradwell Abbey was a Benedictine Priory and was an economic hub prior to the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
For anyone seeking Head of Production opportunities, there are a number of big names that call the region home. These include The Open University, Abbey National, Buckingham Foods and Argos. Coca-Cola has a large manufacturing site in Milton Keynes, producing Capri-Sun and Monster Energy products, as well as bulk products for distribution to companies like McDonald's.
In addition, organisations that promote sustainable energy - such as the National Energy Foundation and the National Home Energy Rating Scheme are located in Knowlhill, along with the National House Building Council, a number of law firms, graphics design companies and warehousing facilities.
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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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