£100,000 to £110,000 + bonus + car allowance + package
A well-established, internationally recognised engineering and manufacturing business is seeking an Operations Director to lead a significant transformation across its operational function and help reshape the performance of the wider business.
This is not a steady-state leadership role.
It is a mandate to bring clarity, pace, accountability and commercial grip into an operation that needs stronger leadership, tighter execution and a more proactive, results-focused approach.
The business designs and manufactures high-value, low-volume engineered systems for global customers. It has a respected name, strong technical capability and a long heritage. It also has a real opportunity to improve how the business performs, how its leaders work together and how operations supports profitable growth.
For the right person, this is a genuine chance to make a visible impact at board level.
The brief
Reporting to the Board, the Operations Director will take ownership of the full operational agenda across manufacturing, planning, estimating, quality, procurement, supply chain, logistics and warehousing.
The priority is clear. The business needs an operational leader who can:
* drive a more commercially led operating model
* improve project execution, delivery discipline and margin performance
* create sharper accountability and stronger leadership behaviours
* challenge siloed thinking and improve cohesion across the senior team
* raise standards, improve urgency and move the culture away from complacency and reactive decision making
This is a business that needs an Operations Director who will not sit back and maintain the status quo.
It needs someone who will bring energy, direction and follow-through. Someone who can align people, improve performance and make operations a stronger driver of business results.
What you will do
* Lead the operational function across production, planning, estimating, procurement, supply chain, quality, logistics and warehousing.
* Review the current operating model and implement immediate, practical improvements.
* Build a culture of accountability, ownership and performance management across the function.
* Improve operational efficiency, scheduling, execution and delivery consistency.
* Drive closer alignment between operations, engineering and commercial teams so projects are better scoped, better planned and better delivered.
* Introduce stronger KPI discipline, reporting and operational controls.
* Improve quality standards, process discipline and day-to-day follow-through.
* Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, helping improve board-level cohesion, challenge and collective performance.
* Support the wider shift towards a more proactive, commercially focused and results-driven business.
The person
This role will suit an experienced operational leader who has already delivered change in an SME engineering or manufacturing environment.
You will be someone who combines strategic judgement with hands‑on leadership. You will know how to assess an operation quickly, identify where performance is being lost and take action.
You are likely to bring:
* proven experience in a senior operations leadership role within manufacturing or engineering
* experience in low-volume, project-based or bespoke manufacturing
* strong understanding of manufacturing, planning, supply chain, procurement and operational delivery
* a track record of improving performance, standards, accountability and team effectiveness
* strong commercial awareness, with an appreciation of how operations impacts profitability, customer delivery and growth
* the confidence to challenge peers constructively and positively at senior leadership level
* the personal drive, resilience and standards to lead from the front
Sector background is open, but experience in environments such as fabrication, welding, engineered products, industrial equipment, special purpose machinery or complex project manufacturing will be highly relevant.
Why this role stands out
Senior candidates are often offered roles where the remit sounds transformational but the scope to make change is limited.
This is different.
Here, there is a clear need for a stronger operational leader and a real opportunity to influence the direction, culture and performance of the business. The successful candidate will have the platform to make meaningful change, strengthen the senior team and help build a more commercially effective operation.
For an ambitious Operations Director, this is an opportunity to leave a mark.
Package
* Base salary of £100,000 to £110,000
* Bonus
* Executive benefits package
This appointment is being handled on a confidential basis. Full details will be shared with suitably qualified individuals during the process.
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