Operations Manager

OPERATIONS MANAGER

An established organisation is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join its leadership team. The successful candidate will report to senior management and play a key role in driving operational excellence across core functions, including Production, Maintenance, Planning, and Warehousing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead site operations to consistently achieve targets in safety, quality, service, and productivity.

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to optimise efficiency and reduce costs.

• Develop and manage a high-performing operations leadership team, with a focus on talent development and succession planning.

• Collaborate with cross-functional departments (Logistics, Quality, Technical, Sales) to deliver product excellence and superior customer service.

• Oversee workforce planning, training, and skills development to ensure operational capability.

• Foster a positive workplace culture based on engagement, teamwork, and respect.

• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management for direct reports.

• Contribute to strategic planning, including capital investment and new technology adoption.

• Ensure strong quality assurance and process reliability systems are maintained.

• Manage production planning, scheduling, budgeting, and cost control.

• Monitor performance metrics, analyse variances, and implement corrective measures to achieve business objectives.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, or related field.

• Proven track record of leadership in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

• Strong hands-on experience in operations and production management.

• Knowledge of both batch and continuous processing (e.g., cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals).

• Expertise in GMP, GLP, LEAN, Six Sigma, and quality systems (ISO, IATF).

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across Production, Maintenance, Planning, and Logistics.

• Demonstrated success in improving safety, quality, efficiency, and cost performance.

• Familiarity with lean methodologies (5S, continuous improvement) and regulatory compliance.

• Desirable: knowledge of extrusion, compounding, polymer processing, and pigment/masterbatch handling.

Benefits

• 33 Days Annual Leave (including bank holidays)

• Holiday Purchase Scheme

• Company Pension Scheme

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Health Plan