Director of Operations

Elevation Recruitment Group; Bradford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential appointment in the UK is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Director to take ownership of the full factory operation, spanning planning through to finished product. This senior role requires leading diverse production teams and collaborating with senior management to deliver the company’s objectives.

You will focus on delivery, quality and control, improving capacity planning, WIP, OTIF and costs, while building a capable, engaged management team and driving continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Led a complex, multi‑process manufacturing operation at senior level.
• Experience turning operational data into clear priorities and measurable results.
• Experience improving production planning, OTIF, quality, WIP control and manufacturing efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead production teams across machining, fabrication, paint, assembly and related functions alongside maintenance, warehouse and inventory, planning, quality and health & safety.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director and Product Director to strengthen day‑to‑day operation and shape longer‑term improvement plans.
• Improve visibility of work in progress, labour efficiency, manufacturing costs and stock accuracy using shop floor data.
• Develop the management team and establish practical disciplines around preventive maintenance, safety and continuous improvement.

Job description

Confidential appointment | Reporting to the Managing Director

Elevation Recruitment Group is working with an established manufacturing business to appoint a Manufacturing Operations Director. This is an opportunity to take ownership of the full factory operation and build a more predictable, efficient flow from planning through to finished product.

The business brings together machining, fabrication, paint, assembly and other process. The incoming director will lead those production teams alongside maintenance, warehouse and inventory, manufacturing planning, quality, and health and safety.

Working closely with the Managing Director and Product Director, they will have the authority to strengthen how the operation runs day to day and shape its longer-term improvement plan.

The opportunity

The immediate focus is on delivery, quality and control: making sure work is planned against real capacity, moves cleanly between departments and reaches customers on time and to specification. You will improve visibility of work in progress, labour efficiency, manufacturing costs and stock accuracy, using reliable shop floor information to make better decisions.

You will also develop the management team and build practical disciplines around preventative maintenance, safety and continuous improvement. There is scope to assess new systems, technology and make-or-buy decisions where they improve flexibility, capacity or profitability.

About you

You will have led a complex, multi-process manufacturing operation at senior level, with responsibility for both people and performance. You will be comfortable on the shop floor, commercially aware and able to turn operational data into clear priorities and measurable results.

Experience of improving production planning, OTIF, quality, WIP control and manufacturing efficiency is essential. A background spanning processes such as machining, fabrication, finishing or assembly would be particularly relevant. You will bring a fair, consistent approach to leadership and the credibility to work closely with colleagues, suppliers and customers.

This is a senior appointment for someone who wants to make a visible difference to operational performance while building a capable and engaged team. Working hours are flexible around core weekday hours of approximately 8am to 5pm.