Operations Director

SeAH Wind; Middlesbrough; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SeAH Wind is seeking an Operations Director to lead the operational lifecycle of its production facilities in Middlesbrough. This role involves strategic leadership, overseeing manufacturing processes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in a pioneering offshore wind project. Join a team dedicated to creating sustainable energy solutions and making a significant impact on global energy transformation.

Benefits

Opportunity to work on a groundbreaking green energy project

Collaborative and innovative work culture

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in large-scale manufacturing environments.
• Deep experience with fabrication, welding, and machining processes.
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication, logistics, and planning.
• Drive continuous improvement programmes and champion a culture of excellence.
• Manage departmental budgets and track key financial indicators.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Continuous Improvement Tools

Job description

We’re Hiring: Operations Director

Location: Middlesbrough (on site) | Full-time | Some International Travel Required

Are you a strategic operator with a sharp eye for efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement? Are you ready to lead complex production environments while driving transformational change across manufacturing, fabrication, and logistics?

We’re looking for an exceptional Operations Director to lead the full operational lifecycle of our production facilities. This senior leadership role partners directly with the COO and is responsible for executing world-class operational strategies that deliver on time, to spec, and at scale.

Are you passionate about creating a sustainable world? Imagine playing a key role in one of the biggest green energy projects on the planet. SeAH Wind is offering you the chance to join the world’s largest Monopile factory and contribute to the global shift towards Net Zero emissions. This is more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of something groundbreaking right in your own backyard.

The Role

As a subject matter expert in operational delivery, you’ll oversee all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication, logistics, and planning, ensuring that output meets quality standards while maximising efficiency and minimising waste.

You’ll provide strategic leadership across daily operations, inventory management, production scheduling, and team performance, empowering people, processes, and projects to work in harmony. You’ll also drive forward continuous improvement programmes and champion a culture of excellence in safety, quality, and delivery.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership

• Work in close partnership with the COO to shape and deliver operational strategies that align with business goals.
• Guide the long-term roadmap for production capacity, capability, and scalability.

Team & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead and inspire teams across manufacturing, fabrication, logistics, and production planning.
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in safety, quality, and accountability.
• Serve as the operational liaison between the COO and other key departments including Sales, Quality, Procurement, and HR.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee daily manufacturing and fabrication activities, ensuring schedule adherence and on-time delivery.
• Maintain and improve standards of operation across welding, machining, processing, and production engineering.
• Continuously evaluate and optimise processes to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.
• Take full ownership of production output and performance metrics.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Champion initiatives to reduce Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
• Partner with the QHSE Director to enforce quality standards and swiftly resolve non-conformances.
• Implement lean tools and methodologies to drive operational excellence.

Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets and track key financial indicators.
• Deliver cost-saving measures without compromising safety, quality, or performance.
• Produce regular operational and financial reports to support strategic decision-making.

People Development

• Recruit, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
• Mentor operational leaders to drive ownership and leadership at every level.
• Embed a collaborative, forward-thinking team culture.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental regulations.
• Conduct safety audits, drive behavioural safety, and lead by example.
• Promote best-in-class SHEQ practices across all levels of the operation.

Essential What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven leadership in large-scale, project-led, made-to-order manufacturing environments.
• Deep experience with fabrication, welding, and machining processes.
• Offshore Wind or related sector experience.
• A passion for operational excellence and people development.
• Strong communicator, able to bridge technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable

• Member or Fellow of a recognised professional engineering institution.
• Hands-on experience with continuous improvement tools: Six Sigma, PDCA, Value Stream Mapping, APQP4Wind, etc.
• Sound understanding of SHEQ systems and regulatory compliance.
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management capabilities.

Working Environment & Expectations

• Primarily site-based with occasional short-term international travel.
• Hands-on presence required in a live manufacturing environment.
• Must be comfortable working around heavy equipment and industrial operations.

Why Join Us?

• Help shape the operational backbone of a pioneering force in the offshore wind sector.
• Work with an experienced leadership team in a culture that values innovation, integrity, and excellence.
• Drive meaningful change and make a real impact on global energy transformation.