Position Summary: The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and optimising all day-to-day activities at the Sittingbourne site. This role ensures strong performance in cost, quality, delivery, and productivity while building the operational capability needed to support future growth. With a focus on continuous improvement and lean principles, the Operations Manager drives efficiency, strengthens processes, and ensures the site consistently exceeds customer expectations. Key Responsibilities: • Lead daily site operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance across all departments. • Deliver operational targets in quality, cost, delivery, and productivity through effective planning and execution. • Develop and lead a high-performing operations team, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance management. • Strengthen operational infrastructure by improving processes, systems, and equipment to support growth and capacity expansion. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives, embedding lean manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving. • Enhance process capability and efficiency through targeted improvement projects and data-driven decision-making. • Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support new product introduction and operational readiness. • Monitor and report key performance metrics (KPI’s), identifying risks, opportunities, and improvement actions. • Maintain and develop capacity planning. • Maintain strong customer focus, ensuring operational performance consistently meets or exceeds expectations. Key Competencies • Proven experience in an operations and manufacturing leadership role. • Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build capability, and drive accountability. • Experience managing quality, cost, and delivery performance in a fast-paced environment. • Strong problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making. • Excellent communication and stakeholder-management abilities. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure. • Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel (data analysis, reporting, dashboards), Word, and PowerPoint. • Experience with ERP/MRP systems for production planning, inventory control, and performance tracking. • Strong data analysis capability, with the ability to interpret operational metrics and generate actionable insights. • Competence with digital workflow and collaboration tools, such as SharePoint and Teams. • Familiarity with quality and production management software to support process control and continuous improvement. • Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems, supporting ongoing digitalisation and operational technology upgrades. Qualifications & Experience (Optional Section) • Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field (or equivalent experience). • Experience in sand foundry processes and casting would be an advantage. • Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams through effective coaching, mentoring, and performance management. • Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies is advantageous