Operations Manager
Location: Birmingham UK (site-based with occasional travel)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Security Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC)
Due to our ambitious growth plans, McGeoch Technology Ltd. Have an exciting opportunity for the position of Operations Manager reporting directly to the Operations & Programmes Director. The successful applicant will be based at our site in Birmingham, where we design, manufacture, and repair a range of products and services for defence and industrial markets, including ATEX Lighting, Electrical Distribution, Instrumentation and Control solutions. Our reputation for integrity is built on compliance with laws and regulations, ethical conduct, and respect for each other, wherever we operate. Our businesses serve a wide range of industries, including Aviation, Space, Defence, Rail, Medical, Scientific and Oil & Gas Sectors (ATEX).
Role Purpose
The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end operational objectives, ensuring programmes are executed safely, compliantly, on time, on cost, and to quality standards.
The role provides leadership across both our Manufacturing and Assembly areas, ensuring strong collaboration with supply chain, quality, and operational planning departments, enabling the business to meet contractual commitments while supporting sustainable growth and margin protection.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Delivery
Lead day-to-day operational activities to meet contractual delivery, cost, and quality targets
Translate business strategy and customer requirements into executable operational plans
Ensure accurate production planning, scheduling, and capacity management
Act as the escalation point for delivery risks and operational issues
Leadership & People Management
Lead and develop operational teams, fostering accountability and continuous improvement
Build strong cross-functional relationships with Engineering, Commercial, Programmes, and Finance
Promote a positive, high-performance culture aligned with company values
Quality, Compliance & Governance
Ensure compliance with defence, regulatory, and certification requirements (e.g. ISO 9001, AS9100 where applicable)
Own operational readiness for internal and external audits (customers, certification bodies, MOD)
Ensure export control, health & safety, and security requirements are embedded in operations
Supply Chain & Resource Management
Oversee supplier performance, risk management, and continuity of supply
Work with procurement to mitigate long lead times and single-source risks
Optimise inventory, materials flow, and working capital
Continuous Improvement
Identify and deliver operational improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce cost
Improve data quality, KPIs, and management reporting
Reduce operational risk, rework, and non-conformance
Financial & Commercial Awareness
Support margin protection through cost control and efficient execution
Contribute to bid and proposal activities from an operational feasibility perspective
Monitor operational expenditure against budgets
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
On-time, on-cost delivery against contract milestones
Quality performance (NCRs, rework rates, audit outcomes)
Operational efficiency and throughput
Supply chain performance and risk reduction
Health, safety, and compliance metrics
Team engagement and capability development
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
Proven experience in an operations leadership role within a regulated environment (defence, aerospace, manufacturing, engineering, or similar)
Strong understanding of operational delivery, production planning, and supply chain management
Experience working with quality management systems and audits
Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and deliver through teams
Commercial awareness and ability to balance cost, quality, and delivery
Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
Desirable
Experience working with MOD, prime contractors, or defence exports
Knowledge of AS9100, ISO 14001, ISO 45001
Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement background
Experience supporting business growth or scale-up
Personal Attributes
Calm, structured, and resilient under pressure
Credible leader with a collaborative style
Detail-oriented but able to think strategically
High integrity with a strong compliance mindset
Proactive, improvement-focused, and accountable
Working Conditions
Full-time role
Predominantly site-based to provide operational leadership
Occasional travel to suppliers, customers, or partner sites
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for McGeoch Technology, please don’t hesitate to apply