Production Team Lead

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

The Role:

This role is part of our Sensor Systems Radar business unit in Fareham.

The Team Leader for Electrical Assembly will be responsible for leading a team of production operators to deliver high‑quality electrical components and systems for defence applications.

Reporting to the Production Manager, the role combines leadership, production oversight, and personnel management to ensure output is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards. This is a hands-on role where the team leader is expected to contribute to the department's actual output, as well as lead the team.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated team in delivering critical electrical components for defence applications. The Team Leader is expected to uphold the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational efficiency and may be assigned additional duties by the Production Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Management

Lead, coach, and develop a team of production operators.

Foster a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Set clear performance expectations and provide regular performance feedback.

Promote a positive, collaborative working environment.

Conduct Individual Performance Meetings (IPMs).

Production Control

Manage day‑to‑day operations of the production line.

Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining quality standards.

Monitor workflow, address bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions.

Work closely with planning and logistics to optimise production flow.

Quality Assurance

Ensure strict adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Implement and document quality control measures and process improvements.

Collaborate with the Quality Manager to resolve issues and drive corrective actions.

Safety and Compliance

Maintain and enforce a safe working environment.

Ensure compliance with industry regulations and defence-sector requirements.

Investigate safety incidents and near‑misses and implement preventive measures.

Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities for process optimisation and cost or waste reduction.

Lead or support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.

Work with engineering and production teams to implement process improvements.

Monitor KPIs and take corrective action when required.

Reporting and Documentation

Maintain accurate production, quality, and personnel records.

Produce and analyse reports to assess team and process performance.

Qualifications and skills:

Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in electrical assembly.

3+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience.

Strong understanding of production control, quality assurance, and safety protocols.

Effective team management and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge of relevant industry regulations and standards.

Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.

Proficiency with manufacturing systems and tools.

Commitment to continuous improvement and safety.

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview