DCT Recruitment are looking for a permanent Operations manager
Reporting To
Managing Director & Owner
Also reporting to:
Factory Director
Transport Manager
Installations
When required.
Location
Based primarily on the road visiting customer properties, with regular attendance at head office and factory as required.
Role Purpose
The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the smooth and efficient delivery, installation, and completion of fitted kitchens for our retail side of the business and new build when required. This is a hands-on operational role focused on pre-installation checks, problem prevention, installer co-ordination with the company’s installation dept, quality control, and continuous improvement across manufacturing, logistics, and installation processes.
The role acts as the key link between the customer, sales design department, factory, transport team, and installers, ensuring that every kitchen fits correctly, is delivered and installed professionally, and meets the company’s quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
1. Pre-Delivery Site Visits & Surveys
Visit customers’ homes prior to manufacture and delivery to carry out detailed site surveys.
Confirm all dimensions, levels, services (plumbing, electrics, gas), access points, and structural considerations.
Identify any potential issues that may affect the manufacture, delivery, or installation of the kitchen.
Proactively resolve issues before manufacture wherever possible.
Client Liaison & Negotiation
2. Act as the company’s representative on site when technical or practical issues arise.
Clearly explain any required property alterations or preparatory works to customers (e.g. walls, floors, services, access).
Negotiate practical solutions with customers to ensure successful installation while protecting company margins and timelines.
Maintain a professional, calm, and customer-focused approach at all times.
Communication
3. Communication with Sales team & Processing team Provide a clear, accurate feedback from site surveys to the process team and sales team.
Ensure all amendments, changes, or constraints are fully communicated before orders are processed.
Work closely with designers to ensure kitchens are manufacturable, installable, and compliant with site conditions.
Reduce errors, remakes, and delays through effective information flow.
Transport
4. Delivery Oversight & Transport Compliance Attend selected deliveries to customer properties to ensure delivery procedures are followed correctly.
Monitor driver conduct, handling of goods, site behaviour, and adherence to company policies.
Identify any non-compliance, issues, or areas for improvement and report directly to the Transport Manager.
Provide balanced feedback highlighting both positive performance and areas requiring improvement.
Installation
5. Co-ordination & Quality Control Attend the property at the start of installation to meet with installers.
Go through the installation plans in detail, ensuring installers fully understand the layout, sequencing, and any site-specific considerations.
Conduct follow-up visits throughout the installation week to ensure:
Work is progressing to plan
Company quality standards are met
Any issues are identified and resolved quickly Ensure installations are completed efficiently, safely, and to a high standard.
Final Installations
6. Completion & Handover Carry out final inspection visits when fitters are still on site. Ensure any snagging issues are identified and completed on the final day of installation and resolved promptly.
Support customer satisfaction and protect the company’s reputation for quality and professionalism.
Quality Control
7. Report Feedback to the Factory Director and Transport Manager, Installation Dept, including:
Positives and negatives
Process breakdowns
Quality issues
Opportunities for improvement
Compile a monthly report for the Managing Director summarising:
Site findings
Installation performance
Delivery and logistics performance
Recurring issues
Recommendations for operational improvements
Improvements
8. Continuous Improvements Identify trends, recurring issues, and inefficiencies across surveying, manufacturing, delivery, and installation.
Suggest practical, cost-effective improvements to systems, procedures, and communication.
Play an active role in improving customer satisfaction, reducing errors, and increasing overall operational efficiency.
Skills & Experience Required
Proven experience in the fitted kitchen industry, installation & operations.
Strong technical knowledge of kitchen installation, site conditions, and common construction issues.
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Confident communicator able to deal with customers, installers, drivers, designers, and senior management.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and plans.
Organised, methodical, and detail-focused.
Full UK driving licence.
Previous operations or site management experience.
Understanding of manufacturing and logistics processes.
Experience dealing with customer negotiations and conflict resolution.
Personal Attributes
Professional and customer-focused
Calm under pressure
Practical and solutions-driven
Strong leadership presence on site
Honest, reliable, and accountable
Performance Measures
Reduction in installation issues and remakes Improved communication between site, design, factory, and transport Installer and delivery compliance with company procedures Customer satisfaction levels Quality and usefulness of reporting and improvement recommendations
In return for your passion, commitment, drive and performance as a Panorama Kitchens Surveyor we offer:
A competitive salary £40,00.00 + Potential Tax Free EOT Bonus paid 6 monthly
•Company Car/Fuel Card and Mobile Phone.
•Laptop
•20 days holiday per year plus Bank Holidays – Holidays increase from the 3rd year of service onwards
•Social Events
•Workplace Pension Scheme