Head of Operations

Owen Daniels; Northampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 10%

Matched pension up to 10%

Income protection

Death in service

35 days annual leave including bank/p​

Team events

Growth plans

Job summary

Owen Daniels in Northampton seeks a Head of Operations Manager to lead and optimise a world-class precision manufacturing environment. You will drive strategy, balance hands-on leadership with long-term planning, and oversee multiple departments to ensure quality, delivery and continuous improvement.

The role requires strong operational leadership, experience in highly regulated settings, and a track record of managing sizeable teams.

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

• 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.

Skills

Leadership

P&L

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Job description

An established and highly respected engineering business is seeking an experienced Head of Operations Manager 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

Head of Operations Manager

Permanent

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 Manager

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 Manager

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 Manager

Company Benefits

• Bonus scheme typically up to 10%
• Up to 10% matched pension
• 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