Head Of Operations

Ad Talent; Norwich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare after probation

Life assurance

Paid volunteering time

Company sick pay

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Option to purchase two extra days

Job summary

Ad Talent is seeking a Head of Operations to lead our Norwich manufacturing site. You will oversee production planning, lead a high-performing team and drive continuous improvement across operations to meet demand with high quality and safety standards.

You will combine day-to-day operational leadership with longer-term improvement, developing people, reducing waste and controlling costs. This role focuses on delivering reliable targets and strong financial performance in a fast paced

Qualifications

• Proven track record in manufacturing management, achieving production targets and improving operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop production teams.
• Practical knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in budget management and cost control.
• A thorough understanding of health and safety requirements relating to machinery and equipment.
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills.
• Experience working across departments to achieve shared production goals.
• Clear communication and ability to analyse performance data with reports.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to getting things right first time.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production planning, scheduling and resource allocation to meet targets and customer requirements.
• Drive improvements in efficiency, waste reduction and production costs through Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach and develop the production management team, building teamwork, accountability and productivity.
• Monitor production performance, identify areas for improvement and implement effective corrective actions.
• Work with Production Managers and departmental supervisors to maintain quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Champion workplace safety, ensuring safe working practices and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement and safety and quality teams to improve processes and support new product introductions.
• Work closely with engineering to maintain equipment availability and minimise downtime.
• Manage production budgets, cost control and capital expenditure planning.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Budget management

Health & safety

Problem solving

Cross-functional collab

Data analysis

Communication

Attention to detail

Tools

Excel

Job description

Head of Operations | Manufacturing

Salary: Circa £70,000 per annum

Location: Norwich

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, no weekends

Lead production, develop people and drive better manufacturing performance.

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader with a track record of improving efficiency, building strong teams and delivering production targets?

As Head of Operations, you will oversee the production operation, bringing together people, processes and resources to meet customer demand while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

You will combine day to day operational leadership with longer term improvement, supporting your management team to reduce waste, control costs and deliver consistent results.

Your role

• Oversee production planning, scheduling and resource allocation to meet targets and customer requirements.
• Drive improvements in efficiency, waste reduction and production costs through Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Lead, coach and develop the production management team, building teamwork, accountability and productivity.
• Monitor production performance, identify areas for improvement and implement effective corrective actions.
• Work with Production Managers and departmental supervisors to maintain quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Champion workplace safety, ensuring safe working practices and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement and safety and quality teams to improve processes and support new product introductions.
• Work closely with engineering to maintain equipment availability and minimise downtime.
• Manage production budgets, cost control and capital expenditure planning.

What you will bring

You will be an established manufacturing leader who can balance production demands with developing people and improving processes.

Your experience and skills will include:

• Proven success in manufacturing management, achieving production targets and improving operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop production teams.
• Practical knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in budget management and cost control.
• A thorough understanding of health and safety requirements relating to machinery and equipment.
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills.
• Experience working across departments to achieve shared production goals.
• Confidence using Excel and business systems to analyse performance data and produce clear reports.
• Clear communication, effective organisation and the flexibility to respond to changing priorities.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to getting things right first time.

What is on offer

• Circa £70,000 per annum.
• Monday to Friday working, with no weekends.
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase two additional days each year.
• Private healthcare after probation.
• Life assurance.
• Paid volunteering time.
• Company sick pay.

Important Information: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship, both now and in the future. We are unable to provide visa sponsorsh