Head of operations

TE Connectivity Ltd.; Witham; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

TE Connectivity Ltd. in the United Kingdom seeks a Head of Operations to lead Production and Logistics, delivering high-quality, cost-effective products while driving operational excellence and budget accountability.

You will develop and execute strategies to improve quality, delivery, efficiency, and cost performance, lead a team of approximately six direct reports, and foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer focus across the site.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Production and Logistics/Supply Chain in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale operational transformation.
• Coaching and people-development focused leadership.
• Commercial acumen with CapEx and automation project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead Production and Logistics activities and align cross-functional teams.
• Drive cost performance through Lean initiatives and capital investment.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
• Promote a customer-focused culture and ensure health and safety compliance.
• Provide coaching, performance reviews, and talent development.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Lean Logistics

Kanban

Continuous Improvement

People Development

Stakeholder Management

Job description

At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more connected world.

Job Overview

The Head of Operations is responsible for leading the Production and Logistics functions, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective products while driving operational excellence. The role combines strategic leadership, operational performance, people development, and budget accountability to achieve business objectives and exceed customer expectations.

Responsible for developing and executing operational strategies that enhance quality, delivery, efficiency, and cost performance, while fostering a high-performing and engaged team. Provides leadership, coaching, and development for approximately six direct reports across Production and Logistics, creating a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer focus.

Your New Role

• Ensure operational activities comply with all health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures
• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, processes, and best practices to enhance overall business performance.
• Lead and prioritise Production and Logistics activities, ensuring seamless integration and alignment between functions.
• Develop capital investment proposals, business cases, cost‑saving initiatives, and continuous improvement projects.
• Optimise, stabilise, and continuously improve production processes.
• Optimise, stabilise, and continuously improve logistics processes.
• Identify operational risks and challenges, implementing mitigation plans and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Planning to maximise customer service performance and delivery.
• Embed a customer‑focused culture throughout the operations function.
• Drive monthly billing and inventory forecasts, ensuring achievement of site targets.
• Oversee supplier delivery performance and coordinate corrective actions with Procurement when required.
• Partner with Quality teams to implement operational roadmaps, promoting a quality‑first culture and zero‑defect mindset.
• Drive cost performance through capital investment, working capital optimisation, waste reduction, and Lean continuous improvement initiatives.
• Translate site strategy into measurable operational objectives, KPIs, and performance tracking mechanisms.
• Develop organisational structures, resource plans, and team capability to support business and customer objectives.
• Promote strong cross‑functional communication, collaboration, and sharing of best practices.
• Manage and control operational budgets and expenditure.
• Lead training and development initiatives, building a highly skilled, cross‑functional operations team through structured skills matrices and capability planning.
• Conduct regular one‑to‑one performance and development discussions with direct reports and oversee effective people management practices across the wider team.
• Drive 5S workplace organisation standards, targeting world‑class operational excellence.
• Prepare and present operational performance reports, ensuring accurate and timely KPI reporting to site leadership.
• Implement and sustain TEOA requirements in partnership with the designated site lead.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments and adopt best practices in manufacturing and logistics operations.
• Ensure compliance with all company health and safety requirements and relevant legislation.
• Benchmark operational performance against internal and external organisations to identify and implement best practices.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives, improving engagement scores through targeted action plans and team development activities.
• Deputise for the Plant Manager during periods of absence or when off‑site.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support business objectives.

Your Ideal Background

• Experience leading Production and Logistics/Supply Chain functions within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Lean Logistics, Kanban systems, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven track record of delivering large‑scale operational transformation and value stream improvement programmes.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader with a coaching and people‑development focused approach.
• Experience leading organisational change and building capability within developing leadership teams.
• Comfortable operating in complex, multi‑value stream manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and process optimisation.
• Proven experience managing and delivering significant CapEx, automation, and capital investment projects.
• Commercially focused, with the ability to balance quality, cost, delivery, and operational performance.
• Background in automotive, aerospace, or other high‑performing manufacturing sectors is desirable.
• Ability to build, motivate, and develop high‑performing teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and drive strategic change.
• Experience supporting operational growth, process enhancement, and the successful delivery of investment programmes.
• Results‑oriented with the credibility and resilience to lead operational excellence initiatives across the site.