The posting
Location: Poole,Dorset,United Kingdom
IMI plc We are a global specialist engineering company that creates breakthrough solutions. We are curious and like to solve problems, partnering with our customers to solve the demands of today and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. We embrace innovation and care about outcomes that are good for business, everyday life and making a better world – creating lasting impact for everyone.
We design, build and service highly engineered products in fluid and motion control applications. We focus on five market sectors: Industrial Automation, Process Automation, Climate Control, Life Science and Fluid Control, and Transport.
Role Overview This role is responsible for leading one of the Machine Shop shift teams across our standard and non‑standard machine shops, ensuring delivery of high-quality products safely, on time, and to cost.
You will manage people, processes, and performance, driving lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence, while ensuring effective utilisation of labour, equipment, and resources across the full machine shop operation.
Key Responsibilities Duties will include but not be limited to:
Operational & Production Leadership
- Lead and coordinate team activities to deliver daily, weekly, and monthly production targets
- Ensure efficient utilisation of labour and machines across standard and non‑standard areas
- Work closely with Planning to achieve world-class On Time Delivery (OTD)
- Maintain high equipment standards using Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
- Ensure full utilisation of the machine shop, balancing workload across different machining requirements
- Take responsibility for operational continuity, including site responsibilities where required
People Management & Leadership
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team across multiple machine shop disciplines
- Set SMART objectives and conduct appraisals, probation reviews, and performance management
- Manage employee relations including absence, grievance, disciplinary, and capability processes
- Ensure full onboarding and induction of new starters
- Identify training needs, maintain training matrices, and build a flexible, multi-skilled workforce
- Ensure all team members are competent to operate across standard and non‑standard environments
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
- Ensure all risk and COSHH assessments are up to date and understood
- Maintain strong health, safety, and wellbeing standards across all machine shop areas
- Ensure safe systems of work are consistently applied
- Lead investigations into incidents, accidents, and near misses using root cause analysis
Continuous Improvement & Quality
- Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives (e.g. 5S, Kaizen, SMED, TPM)
- Analyse KPIs, communicate performance, and implement improvement actions
- Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to resolve quality and performance issues
- Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Identify and implement best practice across both standard and non‑standard machining activities
- Support development of a world-class manufacturing environment
Technical & Engineering Support
- Support production teams with technical problem-solving and machining expertise
- Work with Production Engineering to improve methods and processes
- Support design and implementation of jigs, fixtures, and tooling where required
- Develop and maintain production routes and manufacturing documentation
- Provide hands-on support to resolve complex machining challenges
Communication & Governance
- Lead daily team meetings and toolbox talks
- Provide accurate reporting and updates at management meetings
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment across the machine shop
- Ensure consistent standards, processes, and communication across all areas
Critical Competencies for Success
- Strong people leadership and team development capability
- Proven experience in CNC machining and manufacturing environments
- Ability to operate across varied machining environments (standard and non‑standard)
- Solid understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools
- Excellent organisational, planning, and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver to deadlines
- Good IT skills (Microsoft Office)
- Thorough knowledge of health & safety requirements
- Flexibility to support operational demands across the full machine shop
- Commitment to building a high-performance, safety-first culture
Double Days shift pattern is as follows :-
Early Shift – Mon-Thurs 6am-14:15 and Friday 6am-12pm and then rotates to Late Shift Mon-Thurs 2:15pm-10:15pm and Fri 12pm-7:30pm. 2 weeks early then two weeks lates.
IMI is an inclusive employer; diversity is very important to us, and we want to receive applications from people from all backgrounds
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