Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and optimising all day-to-day activities at the Sittingbourne site. This role ensures strong performance in cost, quality, delivery, and productivity while building the operational capability needed to support future growth. With a focus on continuous improvement and lean principles, the Operations Manager drives efficiency, strengthens processes, and ensures the site consistently exceeds customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily site operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance across all departments.
• Deliver operational targets in quality, cost, delivery, and productivity through effective planning and execution.
• Develop and lead a high-performing operations team, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance management.
• Strengthen operational infrastructure by improving processes, systems, and equipment to support growth and capacity expansion.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, embedding lean manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving.
• Enhance process capability and efficiency through targeted improvement projects and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support new product introduction and operational readiness.
• Monitor and report key performance metrics (KPI’s), identifying risks, opportunities, and improvement actions.
• Maintain and develop capacity planning.
• Maintain strong customer focus, ensuring operational performance consistently meets or exceeds expectations.
• Proven experience in an operations and manufacturing leadership role.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build capability, and drive accountability.
• Experience managing quality, cost, and delivery performance in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel (data analysis, reporting, dashboards), Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems for production planning, inventory control, and performance tracking.
• Strong data analysis capability, with the ability to interpret operational metrics and generate actionable insights.
• Competence with digital workflow and collaboration tools, such as SharePoint and Teams.
• Familiarity with quality and production management software to support process control and continuous improvement.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems, supporting ongoing digitalisation and operational technology upgrades.

Qualifications & Experience (Optional Section)

• Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in sand foundry processes and casting would be an advantage.
• Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams through effective coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies is advantageous

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