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Simon Roberts

Associate Director - Interim Management

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Simon started his career as an EITB technician apprentice and service engineer within the machine tool industry and gained ONC & HNC qualifications in mechanical & production engineering.

To gain a further insight into engineering he completed a BSc degree in Design Technology (Brunel) and a post grad MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Cranfield Institute of Technology). Following graduation, he worked within research & development, management consultancy, health & safety & manufacturing management.

Before moving into recruitment, he spent 2 years working in Naples, Italy for Alenia Aerospace, where he had responsibility for delivering a TPM strategy for a new advanced production facility.

Joining Jonathan Lee Recruitment in 1994 he helped establish the manufacturing arm of the business and ran the head office recruitment operation from 2008 to 2012. He now works almost exclusively on retained senior management appointments, both permanent and interim.

Having worked across many manufacturing and engineering sectors and disciplines he has a breadth and depth of experience that ideally suits senior search and selection assignments. To compliment his practical and academic experience he has gained professional qualifications including full Chartered Engineer status (CEng) and chartered member status of both the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD).

Browse Simon's latest jobs

Human Resources Director

Human Resources Director - Manchester Salary circa £55 - £65,000 (DOE) + bonus & pension A Human Resources professional is required for an established manufacturing business, part of a larger international group. As a manufacturer of advanced electro-mechanical devices, this company has seen an increasing demand for their technology led products. As HRD you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the development of a centre of excellence for the UK regional HR Team and function. This will involve a programme of harmonisation and process improvement that will deliver a cost effective and efficient HR service in line with corporate objectives and legal requirements. A key part of this role will be the development of a talent strategy that is aligned to the increasing need to attract and develop a skilled workforce that will deliver the next generation of advanced, connected products. There is a clear focus on improving employee engagement/relations at all levels and this initiative is supported at the highest level of the organisation. To be considered for this Human Resources Director position you will: Have worked as a senior Human Resources Manager/Director within a fast paced, customer focused Manufacturing, Engineering or Technical business. Have experience of integrating and standardising HR practises and processes that are aligned both locally and at group level. Protect the interests of business and employees by ensuring that all HR policies and procedures are compliant with governmental laws and regulations. Work with site based senior management and HR leaders to develop salary, wage and bonus structures. Ensure that the HR Information System is well managed and controlled and complies to current GDPR and data regulations. Develop a culture of continuous improvement and where possible look for efficiencies that may accommodate a shared service model. Be dynamic with high energy, data driven and results orientated with sound judgement and people skills, able to delegate and multi-task at pace. Have excellent influencing and communication skills (verbal, written and presentation), able to create understanding and a desire to change in the people you work with at all levels. This is a challenging and demanding role and you will lead a high performing UK HR Team that operate locally at site level and increasingly within the global HR structure. Qualifications for this role will be to degree or post grad level in Human Resources. Chartered Membership of the CIPD or working towards this will be required. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate continue learning and development relevant to the HR profession.

Permanent / Manchester, Greater Manchester

Operations Manager

Operations Manager - Hertford Salary circa £65,000 (DOE) + bonus + car allowance & pension An experienced Operations Manager is required for an established SME Manufacturing business. As a manufacturer of low to medium volume assembled products the company has seen a dramatic increase in their technology led products. With an increased sales pipeline, the future is very bright and the order book will continue to grow as the next generation of products comes onto the market. The Board, having reviewed the present production system, are looking to introduce lean manufacturing methods and an operations strategy based on rapid response, right first time, no fault forward and short lead time manufacturing principles. The role of Operations Manager will involve working with the existing production team to develop a modern responsive manufacturing facility. The position requires an in-depth understanding of lean manufacturing and more importantly a track record that demonstrates an ability to train, coach and work with people to create a sustainable continuous improvement culture that can deliver against exacting SQCD targets. To be considered for this Operations Manager position you must have or be: Experience working as a Manufacturing Manager/Operations Manager/Operations Excellence Manager or Continuous Improvement specialist within a manufacturing assembly environment A thorough understanding of JIT, 5S, Kanban, and pull systems is required together with problem solving tools such as 8D, 5 Why, root cause analysis, A3 thinking or DMAIC. Experience of working within a fast paced, light engineering, medium volume assembly environment that could include automotive, electronics, electronic device manufacture or general engineering. A strong engineering or manufacturing background ideally degree qualified with experience of using modern ERP/MRP and shop floor data capture systems. A real passion for Continuous Improvement, establishing standard operating procedures and simple but effective KPIs. An understanding of cell manufacturing and establishing production systems that can handle a product mix based on Runners, Repeaters and strangers. An ability to coach, train and educate employees in modern manufacturing techniques at all levels across the business will be required. Dynamic, data driven, numerate with an excellent understanding of capacity planning and production scheduling. Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and presentation, able to create understanding and a desire to change in the people you work with at all levels This is a challenging high profile role and you will work as part of a close knit management team that will report directly into the Managing Director. The role of Operations Manager will be a catalyst for change and require strong leadership, management and decision-making skills with a focus based on Safety, Quality, Cost and Delivery and the highest levels of customer service.

Permanent / Hertford, Hertfordshire

Head of Manufacturing Operations - Vehicles

Head of Manufacturing Operations - Specialist Vehicle Fabrication & Assembly Salary £70,000 - £80,000 (DOE) + Benefits Package Location: Redditch, Worcestershire An experienced Head of Manufacturing Operations is required for this bespoke vehicle conversion design/engineering and assembly business. This is an established medium volume business with a diverse product portfolio and growing customer base. With a reputation built on innovation, quality and product reliability, the company is looking to recruit a forward-thinking Head of Manufacturing Operations to strengthen the senior management team. This is a hands-on management position and your knowledge and experience will be crucial in developing a high-performance team based culture operating to modern lean manufacturing principles. To be successful in this Head of Manufacturing Operations role you will have a demonstrable track record of operations or general management that includes the deployment of modern manufacturing principles within a vehicle fabrication and assembly environment. The role will require excellent communication skills and an ability to plan and work at pace under demanding time pressures. This is a highly visible role that will require a hands-on approach with the drive and determination to ensure that exacting QCD targets and high levels of customer satisfaction are achieved. To be considered for this Head of Manufacturing Operations position you must have: Experience working in a senior manufacturing or operations management role in a vehicle assembly or general manufacturing assembly environment Operations management experience that includes responsibility for Design, Engineering, Production, Planning & Supply Chain A thorough understanding of modern lean manufacturing principles, particularly "5S" and root cause problem solving analysis. The ability to introduce simple but effective visual management systems and meaningful KPIs A degree in a relevant engineering/manufacturing discipline or equivalent qualifications backed by experience Significant people management and leadership experience with a real passion for coaching, training and mentoring and developing a sustainable culture continuous improvement culture. A dynamic, driven personality confident and comfortable working across all levels of a manufacturing business and happy to get out on the shop floor get involved and make things happen This will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity to join an ambitious company during a period of growth and change. As a member of the senior management team you will play a leading role in shaping the future direction of the business. The ideal background for this Senior Manufacturing Operations Management role could be; automotive, vehicle conversion, truck & bus, specialist vehicles, military vehicles, yellow goods, or general engineering. At present you will probably be working as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Operations Manager, Head of Manufacturing, or General Manager within an SME.

Permanent / Redditch, Worcestershire

Head of Operations

Head of Operations - Fabrication & Assembly Salary £80,000 - £90,000 (DOE) + Benefits Package Location: South West Birmingham, West Midlands An experienced Head of Operations is required for this bespoke design/engineering vehicle assembly business. This is an established low volume business with a diverse product portfolio and loyal customer base. With an enviable reputation for innovation and product reliability the company has ambitious growth plans and are now looking to recruit a forward-thinking Head of Operations. As part of a business strategy to strengthen the senior management team your knowledge and experience will be crucial in developing a high-performance team based culture operating on modern lean manufacturing principles. To be successful in this Head of Operations role you will have a demonstrable track record of operations or general management that includes the deployment of modern manufacturing principles within a heavy fabrication / assembly environment. The role will require effective communication an ability to work under pressure and excellent planning skills. This is a highly visible role that will require a hands-on approach with the drive and determination to ensure that exacting QCD targets and high levels of customer satisfaction are achieved. To be considered for this Head of Operations position you must have: Significant experience working in a senior manufacturing or operations management role in a heavy fabrication or manufacturing assembly environment Operations management experience that includes responsibility for Design, Engineering, Production, Planning & Supply Chain A thorough understanding of modern lean manufacturing principles, evidenced by a track record of OTIF delivery and outstanding quality The ability to introduce simple but effective visual management systems and meaningful KPIs A degree in a relevant engineering/manufacturing discipline or equivalent qualifications backed by experience Significant people management and leadership experience with a real passion for coaching, training and mentoring A dynamic, driven personality confident and comfortable working across all levels of a manufacturing business and happy to get out on the shop floor get involved and make things happen This will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity to join an ambitious company during a period of growth and change. As a member of the senior management team you will play a leading role in shaping the future direction of the business and developing a sustainable culture of continuous improvement. The ideal background for this Senior Operations Management role could be; vehicle conversion, truck & bus, specialist vehicles, military vehicles, yellow goods, automotive or general engineering. At present you will probably be working as an Operations Manager, Head of Manufacturing, Manufacturing Director or General Manager.

Permanent / West Midlands, England