Manufacturing Operations Director

Trial Balance Consulting; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Director to oversee operations at a high-quality industrial equipment manufacturer in Cornwall. The candidate will manage all manufacturing aspects, ensuring efficiency and quality while leading a large team. An engineering or business degree and relevant leadership experience in manufacturing are required. The role offers a competitive salary, exceptional bonuses, and relocation support when needed.

Benefits

Exceptional bonus scheme

Enhanced benefits package

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Minimum three years in manufacturing or engineering leadership.
• Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.
• Expertise in tooling, mechanics, and value streams.

Responsibilities

• Manage manufacturing controls for efficiency.
• Design and implement process improvements.
• Ensure quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Lead a large team of direct and indirect reports.
• Promote health and safety policies.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Commercial awareness

P&L management

IT proficiency

Education

Business or engineering degree

Tools

MS Office

Digital manufacturing systems

Job description

Manufacturing Operations Director - Mid Cornwall - Circa: £115,000 (Neg) + Exceptional bonus scheme + enhanced benefits package + relocation support (where required)

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing manufacturing operations at a high-quality industrial equipment manufacturer. The ideal candidate will be an experienced people manager with strong technical and commercial acumen, capable of leading a complex manufacturing facility and a motivated team.

The role offers a competitive salary, bonus, and benefits, with relocation support if needed. The position is based in Cornwall, on a site that emphasizes quality, customer satisfaction, and employee wellbeing.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing all aspects of manufacturing controls to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Designing and implementing process improvements and cost controls, with P&L responsibility
• Ensuring high-quality standards and regulatory compliance in value stream activities
• Leading and developing a large team of direct and indirect reports
• Promoting health and safety policies across the site
• Collaborating with sales, marketing, and customer support teams, representing the company to major clients
• Analyzing tooling effectiveness and waste reduction strategies
• Providing site performance reports, budgets, forecasts, and cost control updates
• Traveling nationally and internationally as required

Candidate requirements:

• Business or engineering degree
• At least three years of recent experience in a similar manufacturing or engineering leadership role
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and team development skills
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, tooling, equipment, mechanics, and value streams
• Excellent commercial awareness, including P&L, budgets, and forecasting
• Proficient in IT tools such as MS Office and digital manufacturing systems

The recruitment process is managed by Well Placed HR in collaboration with Trial Balance Consulting. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly, as there is no fixed closing date. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before interviews.

For more details, please contact Alex Callister or Carly Kellow quoting reference AC/CK9767.