APRU/Production Manager

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom
Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
🚢 We’re Hiring: APRU/Production Manager
Lead a mission‑critical manufacturing team delivering products that protect and empower global naval capability.
Thales Templecombe is home to world‑class Under Water Systems manufacturing, and we’re looking for an APRU Manager (FMC) to lead one of our most critical operational units. This role is central to delivering high‑integrity naval products on time, on cost and to the highest levels of quality and safety.
If you're passionate about operational excellence, people leadership and making an impact that truly matters — this is your opportunity.
🔧 What You’ll Do
As APRU Manager, you’ll take full accountability for the end‑to‑end industrial delivery of key naval products. You will:
Lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing team
Drive daily production performance and achieve the Master Production Schedule
Champion quality, lean methodology and continuous improvement
Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement and wider site leadership
Ensure a safe, compliant and high‑standards operating environment
Shape the long‑term industrial vision for our Glasgow site
This is a role with real influence — where your leadership strengthens delivery to the Royal Navy and international partners.
🌟 What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone with:
Proven experience leading in an industrial or manufacturing environment
Strong operations management capability
A track record of driving continuous improvement and change
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
The ability to coach, motivate and develop teams
Knowledge of lean, quality, and industrial processes
Preferred experience in MRP2, supply chain disciplines or operational financials is beneficial but not essential.
🎯 Why Thales?
At Thales, your work contributes directly to safeguarding lives and strengthening national defence capability. You’ll join a collaborative, ambitious team committed to innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Lead a revenue‑critical operation
Shape industrial strategy for the site
Deliver meaningful impact that extends beyond the factory floor
Develop your leadership capability in a globally respected organisation
🔍 Ready to Lead With Purpose?
If you want to deliver real impact, drive operational excellence and lead a team whose work truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Apply now and help shape the future of naval manufacturing.
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
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