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Simon Roberts

Associate Director

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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

Interim Health, Safety and Environmental Manager

Interim Health, Safety & Environmental Manager £350 - £450/day, 3-month assignment Leicester An experienced Interim Health, Safety & Environmental Manager is required for an SME manufacturing business that supplies precision machined and fabricated components. The company is at the forefront of advanced manufacturing technology and works across a range of industrial sectors. As Interim HSE Manager, the position requires an in-depth understanding of recent HSE legislation and more importantly a track record that demonstrates an ability to implement best practise HSE to all business activities. This will involve training, coaching and working with people at all levels to create a safety-based culture that will deliver against HSE standards and measures. To be considered for this HSE Manager position you must have or be: Qualified to a minimum level of NEBOSH certificate in Health & Safety. Experience of working as a HSE Officer or Manager within a manufacturing environment involved in the production of machined, fabricated or assembled components. An ability to deliver Health & Safety toolbox training and educate employees in HSE best practise and legislative requirements. Have a good understanding of ISO:14001 & OHSAS:18001 standards and what is required to achieve and maintain this level of accreditation. Able to lead by example and develop metrics and KPIs that will measure and record accurately HSE initiatives that will reduce near miss events, accidents and lost time working incidents. A full understanding of risk assessments and how to implement and record information including RIDDOR, COSHH and lost time incidents. Experience of working with local and national enforcement bodies including the Health and Safety Executive and various environmental bodies (local & national). Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and presentation, able to create understanding and build a safety-based culture that puts the Health and Safety of all employees first. This will be an interesting assignment and you will work at all levels throughout the business from shop floor to senior management. The role of Interim Health Safety & Environmental Manager will ensure effective compliance to legislative and statutory requirements on a day to day basis but establish the foundations for a sound HSE management system moving forward.

Contract / Leicester, Leicestershire

Operations Manager Director Designate Automotive

Operations Manager (Director Designate) - Automotive Salary range £80,000- £100,000 Doe Warwickshire - South Midlands An experienced and senior automotive Operations Manager is required for an SME automotive business involved in the manufacture of hand built automotive vehicles. Due to increased demand for their latest vehicle concept they are looking to develop new manufacturing systems that will deliver improved quality, cost and delivery targets. The senior management team are keen to develop a lean manufacturing strategy that can be applied to a low to medium volume, hand built, vehicle assembly environment. To achieve this, they are looking to recruit a proactive, hands on Operations Manager to facilitate this programme of change. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small business with an exciting product concept and play a leading role in the development of a manufacturing strategy that will deliver exceptional vehicle build quality based on right first time, no fault forward and standard operating principles. The position will require an in-depth understanding of whole vehicle build assembly processes that include BIW, trim & final assembly and paint. As Operations Manager, you will have responsibility for Planning/Scheduling, Purchasing, Quality & Manufacturing departments and must have a track record of achievement that demonstrates an ability to work with people, challenge tradition and create a sustainable continuous improvement culture that can deliver the highest levels of vehicle build quality. To be considered for this Operations Manager position you must have or be: Experience as a Manufacturing or Assembly Operations Manager and worked within an automotive OEM or bespoke whole vehicle assembly environment. A thorough understanding of advanced manufacturing assembly systems, that includes tolerance and dimensional stability, build standards and change control. An ability to problem solve using tools such as 5 why, root cause analysis, 8D, A3 thinking. Experience of working within a high quality assembly environment with experience of new vehicle/model introduction through to full volume production. A strong manufacturing assembly background ideally qualified to HND level or above in an automotive, manufacturing or mechanical engineering discipline. A real passion for continuous improvement, leading by example, setting exacting standards and not accepting second best. A full understanding of automotive quality standards and in particular APQP and managing suppliers. An ability to coach, train and educate employees in modern manufacturing techniques at all levels across the business. Dynamic, data driven, numerate and prepared to do what it takes to get the job done. Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and presentation, able to create understanding and influence the people you work with at all levels This will be a challenging and high-profile position that will have full operational responsibility and report directly into the Managing Director. The senior management team and employees are fully committed to achieving a world class vehicle manufacturing assembly operation. Based on success in the role there will be an opportunity for progression and promotion to Operations Director. The position will require strong leadership, organisation, planning and decision-making skills with a focus based on Safety, Quality, Cost and Delivery that will ensure the highest levels of employee engagement and vehicle build quality.

Permanent / Warwickshire, England

Supply Chain Manager - Digital Print Technology

Supply Chain Manager - Digital Print Technology Salary: Competitive + full benefits package Location: London An experienced Supply Chain Manager with experience of supplier relationship management is required for a specialist digital, print, and publishing business that produces high quality, high value work. This unique production facility requires a fast response but also security of supply to achieve absolute quality and due date delivery. This is a fast paced, high variety environment that requires the collaboration and commitment of everyone throughout the supply chain. With a growing reputation and ever-increasing order book, the business is looking to recruit a proactive and forward thinking Supply Chain Manager who understands the use of digital technology used in print, reproduction, publishing & photography. This new high-profile position is necessary to establish a successful supply chain activity that will build close relationships with key strategic suppliers on a global basis. To be successful in the role you must have the flexibility to travel globally and be comfortable and confident working in a pressurised environment. Your objective will be to develop collaborative partnerships based on sound contract and commercial terms that will ensure the highest level of supply with an emphasis on quality, cost and delivery. To be considered for this Supply Chain Manager position you must have or be: A strong background in Supply Chain & Client Relationship Management gained within a print or publishing environment and able to demonstrate improvements based on effective supplier management. An understanding of lean supply chain methods and how these can be applied within a digital, print, reproduction, reprographics, and publishing environment. Established KPIs and SLAs that actively promote collaboration and support supplier relationships. A degree in a relevant purchasing, digital or supply discipline ideally supported by professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). A real passion for building relationship, with the ability to influence and negotiate sound contractual agreements that secure the highest levels of service, quality, cost & supply. A confident and professional approach, a strong communicator with a real eye for detail that is supported by excellent analytical and reporting skills. An ability to engage with people and build relationships based on trust and commitment across the business and with suppliers and key stakeholders. Self-directed, driven with strong influencing skills and the ability to create understanding and desire to change. This is a very interesting position that will have a high degree of autonomy and touch a wide range of suppliers. The impact of success in this role will be significant and deliver real bottom line results. It is likely that you will currently be working in the digital print, reprographics, publishing sector or within an advanced manufacturing environment that employs advanced digital technology.

Permanent / London, England

Manufacturing Director

Manufacturing Director Salary: Competitive + full benefits package Location: London An experienced Manufacturing Director is required for a specialist digital, print, and publishing business that works on a wide variety of prestigious projects. These unique projects require a fast response, but also a great deal of care and attention. Quality is absolute and due date delivery must be achieved. This is a fast paced, high variety environment that handles both volume production runs and bespoke one-off projects. This business, based in London, has a growing reputation for delivering exceptional products of the highest quality within the digital, print and publishing sector. To handle an ever-growing order book, they are now looking to recruit a proactive and forward thinking Manufacturing Director who has an exceptional understanding of digital technology used in print, reproduction, publishing & photography. This is a high-profile position that will require an engaging and approachable personality and involve close customer contact with high profile suppliers and clients. To be successful in the role you must be comfortable and confident working in a pressurised environment with the ability to impart change and deliver a culture of continuous improvement based on solid lean manufacturing principles. To be considered for this Manufacturing Director position you must have: Significant experience working within a digital production environment with a strong understanding of reprographic technology and how this can be applied to deliver exceptional customer service. A thorough understanding of lean manufacturing methods and how these can be applied within a digital, print, reproduction, reprographics and publishing environment. A degree in a relevant engineering or manufacturing discipline ideally supported by a real interest in 4IR technology and its application and suitability within a fast-paced production environment. Excellent people management and leadership experience, lead by example, setting high standards with the ability to deliver a great customer experience that exceeds expectation. The confidence and credibility to deliver a programme of change that will overcome traditional ways of working and deliver a culture based on high performance and customer first. An ability to engage with people and build relationships based on trust and commitment across the business and with suppliers and key stakeholders. This is a very high profile and pressurised role that will require excellent leadership skills and a real understanding of how you can apply advance manufacturing technology to a traditional working environment with minimal disruption but maximum benefit. It is likely that you will currently be working in the digital print, publishing sector or an advanced manufacturing environment that employs 4IR technology.

Permanent / London, England

Senior Supply Chain Manager

Senior Supply Chain Manager Salary: Competitive + full benefits package Location: Gloucester An experienced supply chain and supplier relationship specialist is required for this bespoke manufacturing company that produces unique high value items of exceptional quality and value. The business has built its reputation by using only the finest quality materials that are sourced worldwide. To further develop its products the company will need to source new materials and suppliers and further develop its relationship with current key strategic suppliers. To achieve this critical business objective, you will have a track record that clearly demonstrates and ability to build robust working relationships and collaborative partnerships. This is a new position within the business that will require a resilient and tenacious approach but represents a great opportunity to create a professional and highly effective supply chain management function. To be considered for this Senior Supply Chain Manager position you must have or be: Held a Senior Supplier Relationship Manager or Supply Chain Manager position working within a low volume/high value, project-based, multi-material, manufacturing environment. Excellent supplier development experience with a thorough understanding of value/cost and able to negotiate the very best commercial terms. Established KPIs and SLAs that actively promote collaboration and support supplier relationships. A good understanding of lean manufacturing and lean supply chain methodologies that will ensure QCD are achieved. A degree in a relevant engineering, manufacturing or purchasing discipline ideally supported by professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). A real passion for building relationships with the ability to influence and negotiate sound contractual agreements that secure the highest levels of service, quality, cost & supply. A confident and professional approach, a strong communicator with a real eye for detail that is supported by excellent analytical and reporting skills. A team player, self-directed, who will make things happen with strong influencing skills, with the ability to bring people on the journey, create understanding and desire to change. This will be a challenging and interesting position that presents a unique opportunity to work with a range of diverse material and service suppliers on a truly global basis. You must have the flexibility to travel internationally with the drive and tenacity to develop an efficient and effective supply chain function from first principles on your own. At present it is likely that you are working as a Supply Chain or Client Relationship Manager and looking for a role that has both challenge and variety.

Permanent / Gloucester, Gloucestershire

Operations Excellence Director

Operations Excellence Director Salary: Competitive + full benefits package. Location: Gloucester An experienced lean manufacturing professional is required for a specialist manufacturing company that produces bespoke items of exceptional quality and value. With a truly global reach this business works with high net worth individuals on complex special products that require the highest levels of care and attention. These products are unique "one offs" that are taken from concept to manufacture and full installation. Operating from a semi-rural location the aim will be to establish a centre of excellence applying the latest lean manufacturing concepts to create an environment that embodies the concept of the "Factory as a Showroom". To achieve this, the owners have recognised the need to recruit a talented Operations Excellence Director who can deliver their vision. This will not be easy and will require the careful management of a highly skilled, talented and long serving workforce. The aim will be to take a cottage-based industry and deliver a World Class Manufacturing facility where clients will want their products made. This is an exciting opportunity to join a very special and unique business and guide it through a period of change requiring exceptional management and leadership skills. To be successful in this role you must have a demonstrable track record of managing transformation projects that include the deployment of lean manufacturing and the development of a high performing culture that can deliver excellent customer service. As Operations Excellence Director you will need excellent communication skills be commercially aware and have a strong manufacturing and operations background. You must have the ability to deliver exceptional results achieving the highest levels of SQCDM standards. To be considered for this Operations Excellence Director post you must have: Significant experience working within a low volume/high value bespoke or project-based manufacturing environment that has embraced and integrated a culture of continuous improvement. A thorough understanding of modern lean manufacturing principles including, JIT, 5S, SMED and problem-solving techniques, 8D, 5why, root cause analysis. A degree in a relevant engineering or manufacturing discipline ideally supported by a post graduate qualification and a genuine interest in advanced technology, laser scanning, robotics, additive manufacturing, CNC profiling, vision systems and the connected factory. Significant people management and leadership experience, lead by example, setting high standards with excellent project management skills. A dynamic and driven personality, confident and comfortable working across all levels of a manufacturing business and happy to get down on the shop floor and get stuck in when required. A real passion for coaching and mentoring with the ability to build high performing teams. An entrepreneurial and engaging nature, highly credible and professional, able to build robust working relationships internally and externally with suppliers and clients. This will be a very interesting, challenging and rewarding position that presents a unique opportunity to work with a close-knit team making truly exceptional products. Your goal will be to achieve this while delivering the vision of the owners and creating a World Class production facility. At present you will probably be working as an Operations Director, Head of Manufacturing, Manufacturing Director, General Manager or Operational Excellence Director in a bespoke high value, project-based manufacturing environment.