Head of Operations

Hexcel; Duxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Hexcel in the United Kingdom seeks a Head of Operations at its Duxford site to lead manufacturing, safety, quality and continuous improvement initiatives. The role drives operational strategy, budget management and cross-functional collaboration with QA, Training and CI teams to meet performance targets.

You will bring senior leadership experience in composite materials or chemical manufacturing, with a proven track record in safety, quality and efficiency improvements, and be eligible to work

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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Quality Assurance

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

Operations strategy

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Quality Management System (QMS)

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.