Innova Search are working with a specialist manufacturing SME in the West Midlands to recruit an Operations Manager. The business is currently growing due to product demand, with their offering a bespoke manufactured product sold in the UK & overseas.
Role
As the company continues to grow both operationally and commercially, the business is seeking a practical, people-centred leader who can take ownership of day-to-day activity while contributing to the broader strategic direction. You will:
* Oversee all operational functions, including production, warehousing, and administrative support
* Provide strategic guidance to help shape future growth
* Work closely with the leadership team to make key decisions affecting output, profitability, and customer satisfaction
Responsibilities:
* Take full ownership of all day-to-day operations across office, production, and warehouse functions, ensuring a seamless order-to-dispatch workflow
* Protect and enhance the company’s reputation for exceptional quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery while supporting the planned scale-up
* Build the systems, processes, documentation, and team capability needed to increase production capacity without compromising standards
* Develop, coach, and structure the team so the business has strong internal leaders ready to support future growth improvement to ensure the business grows in a controlled, quality-driven way.
* Overseeing the complete order cycle: reviewing customer requirements, scheduling production, monitoring workflow, and ensuring packing and dispatch meet exact specifications
* Walking the floor across office, production, and warehouse to solve issues in real time and support the team during busy periods
* Running daily team huddles to set priorities, surface bottlenecks, and reinforce quality expectations
* Reviewing quality checks, resolving any issues before they reach customers, and handling escalations when needed
* Coaching team members, reviewing KPIs, planning staff development, managing resource allocation, and handling HR matters such as holidays and performance
* Maintaining a safe, compliant, well-organised work environment
Industry Experience:
* Proven experience running operations in an SME environment
* Exposure to quality-critical, deadline-driven sectors such as bespoke manufacturing, customised products precision is essential.
Essential Requirements:
* Proven experience in leading multi-discipline teams
* Demonstrated success in scaling capacity while preserving or improving quality and delivery performance.
* Excellent attention to detail, especially around product accuracy, artwork/branding specifics, and quality standards.
* Strong communication skills and an ability to coordinate workflow across departments.
* High level of IT proficiency
Desirable Requirements:
* Experience creating SOPs and operational playbooks
* Competence in structured process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent)
* Track record in businesses where on-time delivery is mission-critical
* Hands-on experience working alongside production teams, not just managing from a distance