Jamie Smith

A highly skilled and accomplished Head of Manufacturing / Production Manager with over 20 years of engineering and leadership experience within fast-paced or high-precision manufacturing environments. Demonstrates a proven track record of managing cross-functional production lines, optimising workflows through lean manufacturing methodologies, and leading multi-disciplinary teams (including an engineering workshop, SMT PCB lines, assembly, stores, and logistics) Contributing to a calculated and controlled throughput of an entire product range consisting of over 400 products, all with full in-house manufacturing and shipping of 110 units a week. Combines sharp technical acumen in mechanical manufacture and design with strong strategic leadership skills gained both in corporate engineering and as a long-serving Retained Firefighter.

Adept at driving quality standards, maintaining rigorous Health & Safety compliance, and aligning engineering documentation with seamless production execution.

Head of Manufacturing at SONIFEX LTD (2024-01 – Present)

In addition to my previous role, I'm directly responsible for shaping and supporting the end-to-end manufacturing operations of the company, overseeing the assembly processes for all manufactured parts.

• Act as line manager for all production-level staff spanning the engineering workshop, surface mount PCB manufacturing line, general production, stores, packing, and goods in/out.
• Attend monthly management meetings to present manufacturing achievements, identify operational roadblocks, propose strategic solutions, and establish future targets to Directors and Heads of Departments.
• Mentor and train the Production Controller, to deal with day to day loading of jobs and scheduling the workload across resources, whilst overseeing the production processes to further optimise daily output and operational flow.
• Jointly responsible the development and improvement of our in-house planning and management systems.
• Establish and enforce strict quality control standards within the manufacturing line while organising routine maintenance and repairs for manufacturing assets.
• Experience in using digital design to create visually compelling, highly functional software user interfaces. Working with software engineers to focus on delivering clean layouts that prioritize seamless usability and intuitive operability.
• Partner with the Managing Director, Sales, and Marketing teams to design, manufacture, and develop bespoke exhibition stands that maximize brand visibility and support commercial objectives.
• Lead the recruitment of manufacturing staff and orchestrate structured production training sessions to upskill the workforce.
• Continually champion and audit Health and Safety regulations across all manufacturing departments to ensure a zero-harm environment.

Design & Engineering Controller at SONIFEX LTD (2018-09 – 2024-01)

Bridged the gap between conceptual design and full-scale production, ensuring seamless product handovers.

• Collaborate directly with the Managing Director and electronic design teams to finalise mechanical designs, specifications, and strict release schedules.
• Utilised Creo Parametric to produce 3D CAD models, artwork, and mechanical drawings, translating concepts into physical prototypes using Hurco CNC Machining Centres, 3D printing, and laser cutting.
• Managed strict documentation control, ensuring all engineering drawing (DO) controls perfectly aligned with production batch requirements.

Engineering Controller at SONIFEX LTD (2007-09 – 2018)

Managed engineering workloads, prototypes, and initial production runs within strict time, quality, and budget parameters.

• Liaised directly with the Production Manager to manage stock, prioritise deadlines, and optimise resource allocation.
• Successfully implemented new manufacturing systems and working methods to stabilise batch quantities, drastically reducing waste and downtime.
• Delivered comprehensive training to staff regarding new operational processes and local Health & Safety legislation.

Trainee Mechanical Engineer at SONIFEX LTD (2004-06 – 2007-09)

Executed hands-on machining, finishing, and quality checking while concurrently completing academic qualifications.

Retained Firefighter (Station 21) at NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE (2011-05 – 2024-04)

• Responded to fast-paced, high-pressure emergency incidents including domestic, commercial, and industrial fires.
• Managed hazardous environments during road traffic collisions, ensuring environmental protection and fluid spillage containment.
• Acted as an Immediate Emergency Care First Responder, delivering critical medical care under intense pressure demanding exceptional organisational and interpersonal skills.

HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Engineering – Specialised in Mechanical and Production Engineering – University of Northampton (2005 – 2007)

A-Levels in ICT, Design & Technology, Sports & Physical Education – Latimer Community Arts College (1997 – 2003)

GNVQ in Information Communication Technology (Merit) – Latimer Community Arts College (1997 – 2003)

GCSEs in 9 Grades A*-C including English Language (B), English Literature (B), Mathematics (C), and Double Award Science (B, B) – Latimer Community Arts College (1997 – 2003)