We are seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to join a growing manufacturing business at an exciting stage of its development. Reporting directly to the COO, this is a pivotal leadership role with full responsibility for operational performance across manufacturing, production, planning, logistics, yard operations, quality, and delivery.
This is an opportunity for a proven operational leader to take ownership of a complex manufacturing environment, drive operational excellence, and play a key role in scaling the business for future growth.
The Opportunity
As Head of Operations, you will lead the end-to-end manufacturing function, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable operations while delivering outstanding customer performance. You will be responsible for developing operational capability, increasing manufacturing capacity, improving productivity, and embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will influence strategic decisions around investment, operational infrastructure, workforce planning, automation, and future growth initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead all manufacturing and operational activities, including production, fabrication, assembly, planning, logistics, dispatch, and yard operations.
* Drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
* Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth and scalability.
* Oversee production planning and capacity management to ensure customer commitments are consistently achieved.
* Improve OTIF performance, labour utilisation, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives across processes, systems, workflows, and operational governance.
* Support investment decisions relating to facilities, equipment, technology, and automation.
* Build, develop, and lead high-performing operational management teams.
* Partner with commercial, project, procurement, quality, and HSE teams to deliver operational excellence across the business.
* Establish robust KPI reporting, performance management, and operational accountability frameworks.
About You
We are looking for a highly accomplished manufacturing leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to operational leadership.
You will bring:
* Significant experience operating at Head of Operations, Operations Director, or equivalent senior leadership level.
* A strong background within steel fabrication, engineering, heavy manufacturing, or similarly complex industrial environments.
* Proven success managing end-to-end manufacturing operations and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality, and delivery performance.
* Expertise in production planning, operational strategy, workforce planning, and capacity management.
* Experience leading business transformation, operational improvement, and growth initiatives.
* Strong commercial awareness with a track record of improving profitability and operational performance.
* Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
* Experience using ERP/MRP systems to drive operational visibility, reporting, and decision-making.
Why Join?
This is a rare opportunity to join a business with ambitious growth plans and play a key role in shaping its operational future. You will have the autonomy to make a genuine impact, influence strategic direction, and build an operational platform capable of supporting significant expansion.
If you are a driven manufacturing leader with a passion for operational excellence and a track record of delivering results, we would love to hear from you.
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