Operations Manager jobs in United Kingdom
Director of Operations (m / f / x)
Job summary
A leading European manufacturing site seeks an experienced operations executive to spearhead operational functions. This pivotal role involves strategic planning and hands-on leadership across production, logistics, and procurement, aiming to drive continuous improvement in a technical manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a solid understanding of supply chain dynamics, and proficiency in ERP systems.
Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience in operations or plant management in technical environments.
- Fluent in English and German.
- Capable of driving transformation in dynamic, international contexts.
Responsibilities
- Lead operational site activities including manufacturing and supply chain execution.
- Develop strategies to optimize throughput and manage inventory.
- Standardize procedures and build a high-performing team.
Skills
Education
Tools
We are seeking an experienced operations executive to lead and develop the operational functions of a key European manufacturing site. This role combines strategic planning and hands-on leadership across production, logistics, procurement, and project interfacing. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in customized technical manufacturing environments and a track record of driving continuous improvement across KPIs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all operational site activities, including manufacturing, materials management, and supply chain execution, ensuring alignment with business performance goals.
- Oversee day-to-day production and operational output, while implementing sustainable improvements across quality, delivery reliability, and cost efficiency.
- Develop and execute operational strategies to optimize throughput, reduce lead times, and manage inventory in line with broader organizational initiatives.
- Collaborate with project and engineering teams to ensure smooth integration of customer-specific requirements into operational processes.
- Standardize procedures, foster cross-functional consistency, and promote a culture of accountability and safety across departments.
- Build and retain a high-performing team, supporting talent development and succession within critical operational roles.
- Identify and implement process improvements, balancing cost-effectiveness with customer expectations and product complexity.
Your Profile
- Academic background in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline; business-focused qualifications are a strong asset.
- Proven leadership experience in operations or plant management within a technical or engineering-to-order manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of supply chain structures, industrial project execution, and batch production processes.
- Hands-on expertise with ERP systems, ideally SAP, with a focus on optimization and operational visibility.
- Decisive, analytical thinker with strong execution focus and team leadership skills.
- Capable of driving transformation in a dynamic, international context.
- Fluent in English and German, with strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
* The salary benchmark is based on the target salaries of market leaders in their relevant sectors. It is intended to serve as a guide to help Premium Members assess open positions and to help in salary negotiations. The salary benchmark is not provided directly by the company, which could be significantly higher or lower.