Operations Manager
Location: North Leicester
Overview
This is a hands-on Operations Manager role with full ownership of a well established manufacturing site, forming a key part of a growing multi-site group with clear scope to drive performance and improvement.
The site is currently performing well across delivery, quality and profitability. The focus of the role is to maintain this position through a safe and effective transition, before driving continuous improvement in efficiency, standards and overall performance.
This is not a strategic or corporate role. It is a practical, shop floor led leadership position suited to someone stepping up into full site responsibility, with a clear progression route into a Director level role within 12–18 months.
Site & Structure
- Headcount: c.50–60
- Lean management structure
- Direct reports: 5 supervisors (Production, Quality, Engineering, Maint, Shop Floor)
- CNC machining environment – c.60 machines
- Production: low to medium volume of large and complex components
- Site turnover: c.£9m
- Output: c.4,500 parts per month across c.70 product lines
Environment
- Stable, profitable and well run business
- Strong existing team with good technical capability
- Established processes already in place
- No major operational issues or turnaround required
- Opportunity to improve efficiency, flow and site standards
- Practical, no nonsense SME culture
- Improvements need to be introduced in a collaborative and considered way
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day to day running of the manufacturing site
- Manage and develop supervisors and shop floor teams
- Drive performance across output, efficiency and utilisation
- Maintain high standards of quality, health and safety and organisation
- Improve visual standards, flow and shop floor discipline
- Identify and deliver practical improvements in operator efficiency and site performance
- Drive continuous improvement across operations through people, process and behaviour
- Work alongside central planning and logistics (not owned by role)
- Engage with customers on operational matters where required
- Report directly to Managing Director on performance, improvements and future opportunities
- Contribute to improving cost base, output and overall site profitability through operational performance
Technical & Operational Context
- CNC machining environment (understanding helpful but not critical)
- Quality standards: IATF and ISO
- Planning and scheduling handled centrally
- Strong technical machining capability already in team
- Current performance levels:
- OEE: high 70s
- On time delivery: c.98%
- Scrap: <1%
- Role focused on people, performance and output rather than technical delivery
What This Role Is Not
- Not a strategic Operations Director role
- Not a corporate or highly structured environment
- Not a turnaround or firefighting situation
- Not reliant on deep CNC expertise
Mindset & Behavioural Profile
This role will be defined by attitude and approach more than technical skill.
The successful individual will:
- Be driven to improve an already good operation
- Take pride in running a high standard manufacturing site
- Want to make the site better, not just maintain it
- Be highly visible and hands on with the team
- Take ownership and accountability for performance
- Be able to introduce change in a collaborative, non-dictatorial way
They will naturally:
- Push for higher efficiency and output
- Improve standards across the site
- Get the best out of people through engagement and accountability
- Look for improvements rather than accept the status quo
- Balance challenge with respect for existing processes and people
This is someone who wants to build something better, not just manage what exists.
Candidate Profile
Currently operating as:
- Operations Manager / Director
- Head of Operations
- Production Manager
- Manufacturing Manager
Experience in:
- SME manufacturing environments
- Hands on leadership roles
- Managing teams through supervisors
- Driving performance through people rather than systems
- Background likely in:
- CNC machining
- Production engineering – metal
- Fabrication, machining or similar manufacturing environments
Not suited to:
- Large corporate backgrounds
- Highly siloed or process heavy roles
- Individuals reliant on hierarchy or structure to deliver results
Motivations & Career Stage
The ideal candidate will be:
- Ambitious and ready to step into full site leadership
- Looking for ownership and accountability
- Frustrated by lack of progression or autonomy in current role
- Motivated by improving performance and making an impact
Typically:
- Mid career looking for the next step up
- Has experienced tough / pressured environments
- Now wants to apply those lessons in a better run business
- Looking for a long-term opportunity with progression into Director level
Package
- Salary: £60k to £75k (flexible for the right individual)
- Optional Company vehicle (electric)
- Strong handover with current Operations Director
- Clear opportunity to progress into Director role within 12–18 months
- Potential for profit share and earnings to increase earnings in the medium/ longer term
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