UK Operations Director

An enviable opportunity to join this British Manufacturer offering excellent long term career prospects!

UK Operations Director £90- 110k + Exec Benefits + Car / Allowance

The Role

The Operations Director will have full accountability for the Midlands based production, purchasing, engineering, quality, H&S and R&D teams, positioning the business for future organic growth. 
The immediate challenge will be to lead a step change in manufacturing performance; deliver enhanced quality, output, consistency and productivity; and to ensure close co-operation across the various operational functions whilst forging strong relationships with senior management across the Company and the wider Group Business. 
The newly appointed Operations Director will drive productivity improvements and champion the process of strengthening the operations and supply chain functions through superior leadership and process improvements with the goal of developing a market leading organisation with a clear succession plan. 
Improved interface with the wider business is a further essential to this role with a priority towards improved liaison with both the sales channel and new product development in terms of capturing the client needs and driving down development lead times.
This senior appointment will focus on the delivery of sustainable improvement in Manufacturing performance to support the business in its growth into new target markets using the strength of its current processes and drive the business towards a greater market footprint.
 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the team with overall responsibility for leading and motivating change within the operations business area whilst sharing best operational practice throughout the organisation.
Through driving a culture of ownership and autonomy, provide direction to the team in driving for best in class capability and innovation, ensuring that agreed quality, cost, output and productivity targets are met.
As a member of the senior management team, contribute to the high level ongoing strategy of the business.
Develop, alongside the global procurement organisation, effective strategic procurement partnership relationships utilizing best practice to help develop alternative sources of supply and continuous process improvements.
Make effective use of MRP methods to ensure the effective planning of all manufacturing resources addressing both operational and financial planning with a view to improving visibility across the business.

• Continually challenge the business to improve operational performance and ensure the business responds quickly and effectively to any problems or adverse trends.
• Establish credibility by becoming acquainted with the management style and operating philosophies and gaining a strong understanding of existing and proposed products, technologies and markets.
• Ensure the operations function meets with company requirements for quality, environmental and health & safety management.
• Provide executive leadership and direction to the site manufacturing management teams.  Develop and motivate these teams enabling them to deliver on the overall strategic direction of the company.
• Develop the continuous improvement culture, creating a common language across the business.  Improve overall site performance through defined metrics which will deliver sustainable improvements to overall profitability in line with strategic objectives.
• Provide direction to the team in driving for best in class capability and innovation, ensuring that agreed quality, cost, output and productivity targets are met.
• Benchmark with competitors across manufacturing and engineering processes, quality, sourcing and risk to help drive continuous improvement in the development of best practice, further establishing standard practices and cost efficiencies.

 

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and proven operations director, who will provide inspirational leadership and change management to the business.
The successful candidate will be expected to be a high-energy, creative and resourceful self-starter who demonstrates leadership skills and instincts.  They will be highly intelligent and enthusiastic with a commitment to excellence and thought leadership. 
In terms of personal competencies, the successful candidate must be a hands-on person, who possesses the best combination of strategic, practical thinking that also leads to actual results.

Key requirements and attributes include:

• An experienced operational leader with five to seven years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment with a demonstrable track record of success in the alignment of the various operational functions.
• A proven track record delivering best in class performance in both favourable and unfavourable conditions, utilizing cross-functional teams within a 24/5 manufacturing environment.
• The ability to make a strategic contribution as well as strong operational management skills with a “hands-on” style.
• Experience of leading transformation projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Pace, energy and a strong delivery focus, combined with strong team inspirational leadership skills.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement and modern manufacturing methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean and Kanban manufacturing.
• The ability to build key relationships in the site and across the business.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a strong commitment to nurturing and developing people.  
• Someone who is open and flexible, with an engaging style, cultural agility and enthusiasm.
• Proven success at devising structures, processes and people leadership initiatives to create dynamic, high performing teams.
• Experience within the supply chain management arena.
• Excellent communication skills to lead and support empowered employees in a team environment along with the necessary presentation skills to effectively share the success and ideas of the business.

Sound like you? Apply today … Immediate start