Head of Operations - Engineering

Equation Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in high-precision machined components for Aerospace and Defence is seeking a Head of Operations. This role involves leading production and planning, shaping operational strategy, and fostering a high-performing team in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership skills, engineering expertise, and a strategic mindset.

Benefits

Company car or allowance

Private healthcare & bonus scheme

34 days holiday & pension/life assurance

Health & wellbeing programmes

Genuine career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in complex manufacturing environments.
• Strong ERP, TPM, and Lean/CI experience.
• Hands-on approach with a strategic mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire operations teams to exceed performance targets.
• Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Align operational plans with company strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Engineering Expertise

Strategic Mindset

Education

HNC/HND in Mechanical or Production Engineering

Tools

ERP Systems

TPM

Job description

Head of Operations

65-80k

Are you a strategic and hands-on operations leader ready to drive world-class manufacturing? Our client is a leading force in high-precision machined components for Aerospace, Defence, Nuclear, and more, is seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to join their senior leadership team.

The Role of Head of Operations.
You’ll be at the heart of our operations, leading production, planning, and maintenance to deliver exceptional performance, quality, and customer satisfaction. This is your opportunity to shape operational strategy, embed a culture of continuous improvement, and lead a skilled, motivated team within a cutting-edge, low-volume precision manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do as Head of Operations

• Lead and inspire operations teams to exceed performance targets
• Drive lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and efficiency
• Align operational plans with company strategy and customer demands
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing workforce
• Ensure safety, quality, and cost standards are consistently met

What You’ll Need:

• Proven leadership in complex manufacturing environments
• Engineering expertise: milling, turning, grinding, EDM
• Strong ERP, TPM, and Lean/CI experience
• Strategic mindset with a hands-on approach
• HNC/HND(or higher) in Mechanical or Production Engineering

Why Join our client?

• Company car or allowance
• Private healthcare & bonus scheme
• 34 days holiday & pension/life assurance
• Health & wellbeing programmes
• Genuine career development opportunities

Our client doesn’t just manufacture precision components, they build careers. If you're ready to make a real impact in a forward-thinking, people-focused organisation, apply now.