Operations Manager (m/f/d)
Process Manufacturing | Chemical & Materials Engineering Environment
Location: Lichfield, Staffordshire (Site-based)
* £60,000 – £72,500 basic
* 10% annual bonus
* Company car or car allowance
* 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
* Generous company pension
* Private healthcare
* Life assurance
Umbilical Search is supporting a retained assignment for a high-performing, UK-based process manufacturing operation supplying engineered products and materials into multiple market sectors.
Operating from a modern manufacturing facility, this organisation has a strong employee-centric culture. It places genuine value on its people, offering meaningful opportunities for training, development and long-term career progression.
Due to internal promotion and continued growth, we are seeking an Operations Manager to take full day-to-day ownership of site manufacturing operations.
This is a highly visible leadership role, with responsibility for operational performance, workforce engagement and continuous improvement within a stable, well-run manufacturing environment.
The role will suit a hands-on operations and manufacturing leader with strong technical credibility, experience in chemical or process manufacturing environments, and a passion for delivering sustainable, incremental operational improvements through people-led change.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations and drive continuous improvement using structured methodologies (Lean)
* Improve manufacturing standards across workplace organisation, waste reduction and process stability
* Lead problem-solving activity relating to quality, downtime, materials and process variation
* Support the introduction of new equipment, processes and automation
* Deliver KPI performance across SQDCP
* Build strong relationships with the workforce and management team
* Coach, develop and engage frontline leadership and operational teams
* Support cost control, labour efficiency and material optimisation initiatives
* Maintain a strong shop-floor presence and lead by example
Requirements:
* Role: Proven experience in a senior manufacturing leadership role such as Operations Manager, Factory Manager, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Senior Production Manager
* Experience: Demonstrated success delivering continuous improvement and operational excellence programmes
* Management: Strong people leadership capability, hands-on and with a strong track record in employee engagement and change management
* Sector: Background in process manufacturing with a chemical or materials engineering element
* Qualifications: Suitable engineering, manufacturing, production or scientific qualification; degree preferred but not essential
* Lean / Continuous Improvement experience; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt advantageous
* IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent health & safety qualification
Why Apply?
* Opportunity to make a genuine operational and cultural impact
* Long-term career progression within a growing industrial group
* Focus on process improvement and manufacturing excellence
* People-centric culture with low staff turnover and high engagement
How to apply:
Please click “apply”, or for further information, please contact Ajay Bhella at Umbilical Limited. Alternatively, please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com
Umbilical Limited is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience.
We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.