Head of Operations

Owen Daniels; Northampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 10%

Private medical scheme

Pension up to 10%

Income protection

Death in service

35 days annual leave

Team events

Site-based role

Job summary

Owen Daniels in Northampton is seeking a Head of Operations to lead a precision manufacturing site, driving efficiency, quality and delivery across multiple departments in a regulated engineering environment.

You will shape operational strategy, balance hands-on decision making with long-term planning, and manage seven direct reports while delivering growth and continuous improvement in a world-class facility.

Qualifications

• Strong technical understanding of CNC machining and precision manufacturing.
• Experience in Motorsport, Formula One, Aerospace, High Performance Automotive or Advanced Precision Manufacturing.
• Experience within highly regulated engineering environments.
• Strong commercial awareness with P&L responsibility.
• Proven leadership experience managing sizeable operational teams.
• Strong understanding of planning, purchasing and manufacturing integration.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or operational excellence frameworks.
• Experience managing new product introduction and engineering changes into production.
• A collaborative, resilient and adaptable leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional operational teams across manufacturing and engineering.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee planning, purchasing, manufacturing and operational integration.
• Manage operational KPIs, budgets and P&L responsibilities.
• Support new product introduction and engineering change implementation.
• Ensure compliance with ISO9001, AS9100 and H&S requirements.
• Drive quality, efficiency and process optimisation across the facility.
• Support long-term operational growth and capability development.
• Manage seven direct reports across manufacturing, planning, quality, facilities and operational support functions.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Leadership

P&L management

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Head of Operations – Permanent

An established and highly respected engineering business is seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead and optimise operations within a world-class precision manufacturing environment.

The company specialises in the design, development, simulation and manufacture of high-performance powertrain systems, electronics and advanced engineering solutions for motorsport, automotive and marine applications. With an international reputation for technical excellence, they support elite‑level racing programmes and cutting‑edge engineering projects.

This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Managing Director, offering the opportunity to play a key part in shaping operational strategy within a growing, financially stable organisation known for its collaborative and supportive culture.

Monday to Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm, Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Very Competitive Salary + Benefits + Bonus Northampton

The Role

You will lead all operational activities across the manufacturing and engineering facility, ensuring efficiency, quality, delivery and continuous improvement across multiple departments. The role requires a strategic operational leader who can balance hands‑on decision‑making with long‑term planning in a highly regulated precision engineering environment.

Head of Operations

Key responsibilities

• Leading and developing cross‑functional operational teams
• Driving Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Overseeing planning, purchasing, manufacturing and operational integration
• Managing operational KPIs, budgets and P&L responsibilities
• Supporting new product introduction and engineering change implementation
• Ensuring compliance with ISO9001, AS9100 and H&S requirements
• Driving quality, efficiency and process optimisation across the facility
• Supporting long‑term operational growth and capability development
• The successful candidate will manage seven direct reports across manufacturing, planning, quality, facilities and operational support functions.

Head of Operations

Essential Experience / Skills / Qualifications

• Strong technical understanding of CNC machining and precision manufacturing
• Experience in Motorsport, Formula One, Aerospace, High Performance Automotive or Advanced Precision Manufacturing
• Experience within highly regulated engineering environments
• Strong commercial awareness with P&L responsibility
• Proven leadership experience managing sizeable operational teams
• Strong understanding of planning, purchasing and manufacturing integration
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or operational excellence frameworks
• Experience managing new product introduction and engineering changes into production
• A collaborative, resilient and adaptable leadership style

Head of Operations

Company Benefits

• Bonus scheme typically up to 10%
• Up to 10% matched pension
• Private medical scheme
• Income protection
• Death in service
• 35 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Company-wide team events
• Stable, growing business with long‑term investment and growth plans
• This is a fully site‑based role.