Job Title: Head of Manufacturing
Location: London, UK
Salary: £200K
A pioneering AI and robotics company in the UK is seeking a Head of Manufacturing to lead the transition from prototype to full-scale production of advanced, next-generation robots. The successful candidate will play a mission-critical role in building a scalable, high-performance manufacturing operation for intelligent robotics systems designed to transform industrial labor.
The Head of Manufacturing will be responsible for defining and executing a comprehensive manufacturing strategy-moving from low-volume prototyping to scalable global production. This individual will build and lead a world-class team, establish new production facilities, and implement modern manufacturing systems with a focus on precision, automation, and operational excellence.
Key ResponsibilitiesLead the end-to-end manufacturing strategy from prototyping through to high-volume production.
Build and manage a high-performing team across production, quality, and operations functions.
Oversee the development of the first manufacturing facility, including site selection, layout design, and procurement of equipment.
Create capacity plans that align with strategic business goals and demand forecasts.
Establish lean, automated, and high-precision manufacturing processes.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency, quality, cost, and throughput.
Implement KPIs and control systems to ensure consistent manufacturing performance.
Partner with R&D, engineering, and design teams to ensure smooth new product introduction (NPI) and manufacturability (DFM).
Align with supply chain, procurement, and finance to ensure readiness and cost-effective production.
Contribute to product development with insights on design-for-manufacture and factory feasibility.
Build and enforce robust quality and compliance systems in accordance with safety and certification standards (e.g., ISO, CE, UL).
Lead problem-solving efforts and root cause analysis for production issues.
10+ years in manufacturing leadership within robotics, automotive, aerospace, or similar sectors.
Proven experience scaling hardware products from prototype to mass production.
Deep expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and integrated software systems.
Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional teams and collaboration across product, engineering, and operations.
Proficiency in capacity planning, cost optimization, and manufacturing analytics.
Experience launching greenfield manufacturing sites or scaling operations from startup phase.
Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and digital manufacturing platforms.
Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and automation of complex electro-mechanical systems.
Passion for robotics, AI, and shaping the future of human-machine collaboration.
Click apply or speak to Mark Ainscough for the full details at mainscough @ kensingtonadditive . com