Industry: Advanced Materials Manufacturing / Industrial Production
Overview
Mackinnon Bruce International is partnered with a rapidly growing business operating within the advanced materials manufacturing space, currently undergoing a significant phase of expansion and operational transformation.
As part of this growth, the organisation is seeking an Operations Director to take full ownership of site operations at a key UK facility. This is a senior leadership role focused on building a scalable, high-performing operating model capable of supporting increased volumes, complexity, and long‑term business performance.
Role Overview
The Operations Director will hold end-to-end responsibility for operational performance, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing aligned with customer requirements and business objectives.
This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, overseeing production, engineering, planning, and HSE. A key focus will be driving predictability, on‑time delivery, capacity growth, and quality performance within a fast‑paced and evolving environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and deliver the site operations strategy aligned with business growth objectives
- Take full ownership of operational performance across safety, quality, cost, delivery, and capacity
- Lead and develop cross‑functional teams across production, engineering, planning, and HSE
- Improve operational predictability and consistency, ensuring reliable delivery against customer commitments
- Drive capacity improvements and optimise production performance across key areas of the operation
- Implement scalable systems, processes, and operating structures to support future growth
- Strengthen maintenance strategies to maximise equipment reliability and uptime
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality, and customer requirements
- Establish clear performance frameworks, KPIs, and reporting structures
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risk
- Partner with senior leadership on strategic initiatives including investment, operating model evolution, and organisational design
- Build organisational capability, identifying gaps and developing high‑performing teams
Candidate Requirements
- Proven leadership experience within advanced materials or industrial manufacturing environments
- Strong track record operating in complex, fast‑paced production settings
- Experience managing growth, operational change, and increasing organisational complexity
- Strong understanding of production optimisation, maintenance strategy, and operational excellence
- Experience within mid‑to‑large scale operations (£100M+ or equivalent scope advantageous)
- Commercially aware, with the ability to align operations to broader business performance
- Strategic mindset with strong delivery focus
- Results‑driven with a high level of ownership and accountability
- Credible leader, comfortable engaging at both executive and operational levels
- Strong communicator with the ability to influence and align stakeholders
- Data‑driven and analytical in approach
- Resilient and adaptable in a changing environment
- Structured, with a focus on sustainable, system‑led improvements
This role offers the opportunity to take full operational ownership of a growing and evolving manufacturing site within the advanced materials sector, playing a key role in shaping its next phase of development. You will have the autonomy to drive meaningful change, build capability, and deliver long‑term operational excellence within an ambitious organisation.
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