Head of Operations

Hexcel Corporation; Duxford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Hexcel Corporation in Duxford, UK is seeking a Head of Operations to lead manufacturing, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives. You will drive production strategy, optimise resources, and ensure quality compliance across sites.

The role requires senior leadership experience in composites or chemical manufacturing, with a strong focus on Lean, Six Sigma and cost control. You will guide teams, budgets, and strategic investments to strengthen profitability.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or related field.
• Significant senior leadership experience in composite materials or chemical manufacturing.
• Proven success leading integrated manufacturing teams and driving collaboration.
• Strong track record improving safety, quality, productivity and costs.
• Extensive knowledge of operations, lean, six sigma and continuous improvement.
• Familiar with QMS, regulatory compliance, audits, and quality labs.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient production meeting requirements.
• Develop and deliver strategies to hit production, quality, cost, delivery and safety targets.
• Drive continuous improvement via Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, waste reduction.
• Provide strategic leadership for QA/QC and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System and lead audits and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimise performance and resources.
• Lead workforce capability, training, succession planning and leadership development.
• Champion HSE culture and ensure legal/regulatory compliance.
• Provide visible leadership to Manufacturing, Quality, Training and Continuous Improvement teams.
• Manage operational budgets and KPIs to improve profitability through efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Operations management

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety & compliance

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management

Tools

QMS

Audits

Job description

With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advanced lightweight composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs and engineered core and composite structures. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices, and R&D centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.”

Hexcel is currently seeking a Head of Operations for our Duxford, UK location.

Hexcel seeks individuals who embrace our values – putting safety first, always; leading with integrity, delivering quality; One Hexcel; improving today, better tomorrow.

The selected individual will be responsible for but not limited to the following obligations:

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, compliant production that meets customer and business requirements.
• Develop and deliver operational strategies to achieve production, quality, cost, delivery, safety, and performance targets.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, waste reduction, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership for Quality Assurance and Quality Control, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and quality standards.
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS), leading audits, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimise manufacturing performance, resource utilisation, and business growth.
• Lead workforce capability, training, succession planning, and leadership development to build organisational resilience.
• Champion a strong health, safety, environmental, and compliance culture, ensuring legal and regulatory requirements are met.
• Provide visible leadership to Manufacturing, Quality, Training, and Continuous Improvement teams, fostering accountability and engagement.
• Manage operational budgets and KPIs, improving profitability through efficiency, cost control, and strategic investment decisions.

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience within a composite materials or chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proven success leading integrated manufacturing teams and driving cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong track record of improving safety, quality, productivity, cost efficiency, and customer service.
• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, operational excellence, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS), regulatory compliance, audits, root cause analysis, and quality laboratory functions.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver operational strategies aligned to business objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management and cost control.
• Demonstrated success leading organisational change, transformation, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, coaching, and talent development skills, with a commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country where the position is based. Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry.