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 Northern Ireland
The smallest country in the UK, Northern Ireland has traditionally been associated with industries like shipping, rope making and textile manufacture. In fact, during the American Civil War, the supply of cotton from the States was cut and Belfast gained the nickname Linenopolis, as Irish linen helped to alleviate problems caused by the shortage.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Belfast was home to many of the world's top shipbuilders, including Harland and Wolff, the firm that went on to build the RMS Titanic, her sisters the Britannic and Olympic and other vessels like the HMS Belfast during the early 20th century.
Northern Ireland has also seen its share of violence and civil unrest, during a period known as the Troubles, which lasted from the late 1960s until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Since then, the country has grown more stable and a number of redevelopment projects have helped to turn Northern Ireland into a thriving place with an economy based mainly in the service sector - although many of the older business are still in operation. What's more, there are plenty of opportunities for those seeking Head of Production vacancies.
Just some of the companies with regional headquarters or other facilities in the region include DuPont and Caterpillar. In addition, Short Brothers, one of the first companies in the world to produce aircraft, moved to Northern Ireland in 1948 - today it owned by Bombardier Aerospace and produces flight control systems and other components.
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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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