Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) Operations… at Designer Group · Kells

As OSM Operations Manager, you will take full responsibility for the safe, efficient and commercially controlled operation of the Kells facility.

You will oversee the manufacture of mechanical, electrical, fabricated and modular assemblies for Designer Group projects, ensuring products are delivered to the required quality, cost, programme and installation sequence.

A key objective of the position is to develop the Kells facility into a profitable, scalable and professionally managed manufacturing operation, capable of supporting increased production volumes, a broader product range and Designer Group's continued international growth.

You will work closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Commercial, Engineering, BIM, Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics and QEHS teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the safe, efficient and commercially controlled day-to-day operation of the Kells OSM facility.
• Plan and manage the manufacture of mechanical, electrical, fabricated and modular assemblies in line with project requirements.
• Develop and maintain production schedules aligned to project demand, site readiness, installation sequencing and available capacity.
• Take ownership of facility performance across safety, quality, cost, productivity, delivery and operational output.
• Build robust processes for production planning, work control, testing, storage, dispatch and delivery.
• Work closely with Project, Engineering, BIM and Design teams to ensure production is supported by complete and approved technical information.
• Promote Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), standardisation and repeatable production methods across the facility.
• Manage labour, supervision, materials, equipment and production-space requirements in line with current and forecast demand.
• Work with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure materials and specialist components are available when required.
• Monitor facility budgets, costs, margins and operational performance, addressing variances and supporting future forecasting and investment decisions.
• Lead health, safety, environmental and quality performance across all manufacturing and logistics activities.
• Implement practical lean-manufacturing and continuous-improvement initiatives to improve productivity, throughput and quality.
• Build, develop and lead a capable multidisciplinary OSM team with clear responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Ensure finished products are packed, stored, transported and delivered in line with project programmes and site requirements.
• Develop reliable reporting, performance dashboards and governance controls to support decision-making and the future growth of Designer Group's OSM capability.

Essential Experience

• A degree, diploma, trade qualification or recognised technical qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Additional qualifications in Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, Health & Safety or Quality Management would be advantageous.
• Significant management experience within manufacturing, fabrication, modular construction, MEP prefabrication or a comparable industrial environment.
• Proven responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a production facility or substantial manufacturing function.
• Strong experience across production planning, labour management, materials, quality, safety and delivery.
• Good understanding of manufacturing cost control, budgeting, product costing and operational performance.
• Experience improving productivity, throughput, quality or profitability.
• A track record of introducing processes and controls within a growing or changing operation.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary manufacturing and technical teams.
• Ability to manage competing project demands within finite manufacturing capacity.
• Strong understanding of health and safety within manufacturing or engineering.
• High levels of commercial awareness and the ability to understand the financial impact of operational decisions.

Desirable Experience

• Mechanical and electrical prefabrication.
• Skids, modules, assemblies, plantrooms or packaged engineering solutions.
• Data centres, life sciences, industrial or technically complex construction projects.
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
• Lean manufacturing, standard work, 5S or structured continuous improvement.
• ERP, production-planning or manufacturing systems.
• Scaling a manufacturing facility or production operation.
• Logistics between manufacturing facilities and live construction projects.
• Developing a manufacturing operation towards standalone profitability.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important part of Designer Group's future delivery model.

You will have the opportunity to shape how our OSM capability operates, build scalable manufacturing processes and directly influence how mechanical, electrical and modular solutions are delivered across major projects.

You will join an international engineering business that continues to invest in modern methods of construction, prefabrication, digital delivery and the development of its people.

Apply

If you have experience leading manufacturing, prefabrication or modular operations and want the opportunity to build and develop a growing OSM capability, we would like to hear from you.

Apply today to join Designer Group and help shape the next phase of our Off-Site Manufacturing operation.

INDMP

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