SY Recruitment

SYR are excited to be representing a client who design and build a range of award-winning Superyacht tenders to impeccably high standards. The opportunity for an experienced Composites Manager to join the team has arisen. The Composites Manager will promote and continue to develop a world class facility whilst engaging a cross-functional team, promoting the latest processes & procedures, ensuring targets are met and the highest quality delivered This role is based in Southampton and carries overall responsibility for the Composites and Paint departments, as well as the effective management of site operations, safety, and production flow. ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES Responsible for the productivity, quality, and output of the Composites and Paint departments, ensuring the development, engagement, and succession planning of all staff. Support the Design team in tooling design, mould split strategy, and build process development, ensuring manufacturability and efficiency from concept through to production. Lead innovation and development in composite processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and working environment. Manage the flow process through the facility in line with IPC procedures, ensuring optimal use of resources and adherence to production targets. Take overall responsibility for site management, including Health & Safety, security, and the safe operation of all facilities and equipment. Provide line management to the Composites Coordinator, Chargehands, and Paint Chargehand, offering guidance, technical expertise, and HR support. Work collaboratively with Project Managers across both sites to ensure composites and paint activities are aligned with project plans, priorities, and timelines, and to manage a smooth handover of projects to the next stage of build at the other site. Provide input to the Managing Director on build schedules and work closely with the Fitout Manager to align resource planning, departmental outputs, and workflow across both sites Support production scheduling and capacity planning to ensure projects are delivered on time, to specification, and within budget. Manage resourcing and staffing levels by department and by project, maintaining flexibility to meet production requirements. Coordinate the movement of projects between shops, ensuring efficient logistics and minimal disruption to workflow. Foster a collaborative, empowering team culture, encouraging open communication, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. Lead by example in upholding all company policies, standards, and quality expectations to deliver a world class product. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS Extensive knowledge of small craft construction and marine tooling design. Strong understanding of advanced composites systems (Infusion / Prepreg / wet lay) and related manufacturing methods. Experience supporting design-for-manufacture and tooling development processes. Proven leadership within a composites manufacturing environment, ideally within the marine sector. Experience in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement practices. Experience of managing, maintaining and developing a production facility with a strong understanding of Health & Safety and site management responsibilities. Confident leadership style with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within HR, H&S, and financial frameworks. Commercial awareness of project-based manufacturing. High-level understanding of master schedules and planning systems. Skilled in conflict resolution and cross-departmental collaboration. Quality driven, organised, and able to deliver on time and on budget. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and MS Project.

SYR are excited to be working with one of the leading boat build manufacturers, in the UK. Summary of job: Working in a team environment you will work on a range of products, as part of our clients finishing team, you will be engaged with the finishing and repair of gel coat surfaces and GRP composite mouldings to produce high quality finished components for their busy boat manufacturing line. You will have knowledge and experience enabling you carry out gel coat repairs, trimming, filling, fairing and polishing to a high standard. An ability to work efficiently and effectively is the objective of all in the department in attainment of the clients production requirements. Main Duties: Checking and identifying defects requiring rework. Repair to gel coat surfaces to remove imperfections/ joint lines from split mould tools. Fairing of surfaces. Polishing of gel coat surfaces to achieve high level of surface finish. Trimming of GRP components using air saws, routers and diamond cutting discs, if required. Sanding and finishing of cut edges using abrasives papers Maintain and promote high standards of workmanship. Assist in other areas of the manufacturing process as directed by the Team Leader for this section. Assist in the training of personnel including new composite operatives as and when required. Basic Housekeeping duties, including maintaining a tidy workstation and working area. Be accountable for your own work. Correct use of PPE. Uphold company HSE standards and report any shortfalls. Ancillary Duties: To carry out such tasks and duties as may be required from time to time by senior management. Qualifications and Experience Previous experience of finishing GRP or paint finishes/ detailing. Attention to detail and a methodical approach Good team player being able to work independently or as part of a team when necessary Able to work to deadlines in a time conscious manner. Preferred, previous experience of working within the Marine, Automotive, F1 industry or similar high quality driven industry.