Location: Airfield Industrial Estate, Ashbourne, DE6.
Hours: Full-time, 5 days per week (flexible within factory to suit operating times: 6am–12 midnight, 5 days)
Reports to: Director
About the Role
We are a security flexographic printing business seeking a hands on Operations Manager to lead our person production team and transform how we work day-to-day.
This is not an office job, it is about being on the shop floor, leading by example, and building a culture of respect, discipline, and efficiency. The successful candidate will balance firmness with fairness, ensuring standards are consistently met while also working alongside the team to support and guide them.
Our leadership culture is built on professionalism, respect, and no ego. The right person for this role thrives in a practical, busy, and sometimes messy environment and takes pride in driving order, safety, and accountability.
The goal: a production floor that runs like a BMW service garage; clean, disciplined, efficient, and compliant.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & People Management
• Lead, motivate, and hold accountable a team of across multiple shifts.
• Enforce discipline with a firm but respectful approach.
• Conduct quarterly reviews with all team members.
• Work with Peninsula HR to investigate misconduct or non-compliance, ensuring correct process is followed.
• Build a culture of pride and respect — where rules are followed, and standards are non-negotiable.
Operational Standards & Hands-On Involvement
• Ensure all work areas become & remain tidy and organised:
• No overflowing bins, no tools/inks left out, everything stored correctly after jobs.
• Support the team directly with production prep tasks when needed:
• Preparing and staging the next required items for quicker changes, reducing downtime.
• Returning inks, consumables, and equipment after jobs.
• Helping with quicker changeovers.
• Support and enforce maintenance routines:
• Ensure aniloxes and other components are cleaned correctly.
• Make sure ISO compliance logs are fully completed and accurate.
• Roll up sleeves to earn respect & show the standard.
Efficiency & Problem Solving
• Identify problems as they occur, implement immediate fixes, and put in place systems to prevent repetition.
• Drive changeover improvements and eliminate wasted time/resources.
• Monitor workflows and make adjustments to keep output consistent and efficient.
• Create structure and discipline in how individuals work with a sense of urgency and pride.
Health, Safety & Environment
• Lead continuous improvement in HSE culture.
• Ensure correct use of PPE, safe behaviours, and clean working practices.
• Carry out spot checks, observations, and follow-ups.
• Empower the team to take safety and tidiness seriously.
Reporting & Communication
• Provide a daily written report to the Director (production performance, issues, corrective actions taken, and support required) - solution, not problem driven.
• Provide real-time updates and requests via WhatsApp/email for quick decisions.
Work Pattern & Flexibility
• Full-time, 5 days per week.
• Must work across different shifts to directly observe performance and behaviours:
• Early starts (e.g. 6am) to monitor start-ups, clock-ins, and morning team productivity.
• Later starts (e.g. 2pm–midnight) to ensure standards and discipline are upheld in evening shifts.
• Work pattern may vary weekly to ensure all shifts receive oversight.
What We're Looking For
• Strong common sense and problem-solving ability.
• Ex-military background or equivalent leadership experience preferred.
• Hands-on, practical, and not afraid of a messy, physical production environment.
• Must have an extensive track record of driving discipline and standards in operational teams.
• Flexible, resilient, and able to adjust working hours to observe and manage across shifts.
• Experience in operational management, continuous improvement, or compliance-driven manufacturing.
• A balance of firmness and fairness: disciplined, but always respectful.
Success in this Role Means
• The factory is clean, safe, and disciplined at all times.
• Prep, changeovers, and maintenance routines are completed properly and on time.
• ISO compliance logs are always accurate and up to date.
• The team respects the manager because they see them working hard alongside them.
• Misconduct or corner-cutting is dealt with immediately and properly.
• Problems stop repeating because fixes are embedded.
• The Director receives clear daily reports and can trust operations are under control.
*This role is for someone who thrives on creating structure, discipline, and respect, enjoys being hands-on in operations, and takes pride in building a factory culture where compliance, order, and high standards are non-negotiable.
Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 per annum (depending on experience and fit with operational leadership expectations)*