Head of Group Operations

Grinsty Rail Limited; Redditch; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance incentives

Additional benefits

Job summary

A growing engineering and manufacturing company is seeking a Head of Group Operations to oversee day-to-day operational activities across manufacturing, supply chain, and quality. The successful candidate will ensure efficient production processes and lead continuous improvement initiatives. Strong leadership skills and a proven background in operations management within an engineering environment are essential. This role offers a senior leadership package with performance incentives and additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in engineering or manufacturing operations management.
• Strong understanding of production processes and supply chain management.
• Demonstrated ability to implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day production and manufacturing activities.
• Ensure on-time delivery of products and monitor KPIs.
• Lead production planning and implement lean initiatives.
• Lead production planning and scheduling with the Quality Managers and Engineering teams.
• Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Maintain robust maintenance and calibration systems for all machinery and equipment.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Sales and Finance to support delivery and budgets.

Skills

Operations management

Production processes

Quality systems

Lean manufacturing

Leadership skills

Problem-solving

Tools

MRP Easy

Job description

Department: Operations & Production
Reports To: Managing Director / Group Board
Location: Redditch (with travel to company sites and customer locations as required)

Company Overview

Grinsty is a growing engineering, electronics and manufacturing company specialising in high-quality industrial solutions. The company is actively expanding through the acquisition of engineering and manufacturing businesses to strengthen its capabilities and support long-term growth.

A key part of Grinsty’s operations is its rail division, which designs and manufactures advanced electronic systems and refurbishes components for the rail industry. This includes control electronics and monitoring systems, providing innovative and reliable solutions for rolling stock manufacturers and operators worldwide.

As part of the Grinsty group, Monitran Ltd complements these operations by producing vibration and displacement sensors for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, enhancing the group’s overall technical expertise and product range.

Role Purpose

The Head of Group Operations is responsible for leading and overseeing all day-to-day operational activities across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and facilities. The role ensures the effective planning, coordination, and optimisation of production and operational processes to meet business objectives in terms of quality, cost, delivery, and continuous improvement.

This position supports both strategic growth and operational excellence, ensuring smooth collaboration between departments such as Engineering, Production, Quality, and Sales.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day production and manufacturing activities across all operational areas.
• Ensure on-time delivery of products in line with customer expectations and production schedules.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for efficiency, quality, output, and cost control.
• Lead production planning and scheduling in coordination with the Quality Managers and Engineering teams.
• Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Ensure robust maintenance and calibration systems for all machinery and equipment.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop operational teams across Production, Quality, and Purchasing.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Manage performance through regular reviews, training, and mentoring to ensure skill development and succession planning.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of key personnel within the operations function.

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements across production and operational workflows.
• Drive efficiency in resource allocation, workflow optimisation, and manufacturing processes.
• Lead problem-solving initiatives related to production bottlenecks, material shortages, or quality concerns.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering to ensure smooth handover of new products into production.
• Collaborate with Sales and Business Development teams to support customer requirements and delivery schedules.
• Liaise with Quality to ensure compliance with ISO standards, certifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Finance to monitor operational budgets, cost control, and capital expenditure.

Operational Reporting & Systems

• Provide regular reports on operational performance, production metrics, and KPIs to the Managing Director or Board.
• Maintain and improve operational documentation, process manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Use MRP Easy to manage production, scheduling, inventory, and workflow, ensuring efficiency and on-time delivery.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in operations management within an engineering, electronics or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production processes, quality systems, and supply chain management.
• Demonstrated ability to implement lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives to optimise processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and people management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with MRP Easy, or other production planning systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive operational excellence under pressure.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with operational pragmatism.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and solution-focused.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Committed to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Salary

Senior leadership package with performance incentives and additional benefits. Full remuneration details available on request for shortlisted candidates.

Interested?

Apply for this role here, or explore our other open positions and apply today to become part of our dynamic, growth-oriented team.