Operations Director

Gap Personnel Limited; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

10% bonus

Healthcare

Pension

Job summary

Gap Personnel Limited is seeking an exceptional Operations Director to lead the engineering and manufacturing operations, with hands-on engagement on the factory floor. You will oversee manufacturing, engineering, maintenance and quality, driving Lean improvements, reliability, OEE and profitability while building a safety‑driven, high‑performing culture.

This senior role requires a credible leader who can develop managers, manage budgets and CAPEX, and deliver sustainable changes across the

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational leadership experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong engineering and technical manufacturing knowledge.
• Experience leading large manufacturing/production teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing, engineering and operational performance.
• Drive improvements in productivity, quality, cost and on-time delivery.
• Embed Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Improve machinery reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Develop preventative maintenance and improve OEE.
• Establish KPIs and accountability across operations.
• Lead, coach and develop the operations management team.
• Build a positive, high-performing culture.
• Challenge inefficient processes and drive sustainable change.
• Oversee CAPEX, equipment upgrades, automation and new technology.
• Manage budgets and improve profitability.
• Maintain Health & Safety and quality standards.

Skills

Ops leadership

Engineering knowledge

Manufacturing leadership

Lean manufacturing

KPIs and data

Job description

Operations Director – Engineering & Manufacturing
£65,000 – £75,000 + Company Car + 10% Bonus + Healthcare + Pension

We are looking for an exceptional Operations Director to lead and develop the operational performance of an established engineering and manufacturing business.

This is a senior leadership position for someone who genuinely understands manufacturing – a leader who can walk the factory floor, engage with the workforce, understand the engineering challenges and identify where improvements need to be made.

You’ll take responsibility across manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, quality and operational performance, with a clear focus on improving efficiency, reliability, culture and profitability.

What you'll be responsible for

• Leading manufacturing, engineering and operational performance
• Driving improvements in productivity, quality, cost and on-time delivery
• Embedding Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Improving machinery reliability and reducing unplanned downtime
• Developing preventative maintenance and improving OEE
• Establishing meaningful KPIs and accountability across operations
• Leading, coaching and developing the operational management team
• Building a positive, engaged and high-performing culture
• Challenging inefficient processes and driving sustainable change
• Overseeing CAPEX, equipment upgrades, automation and new technology
• Managing operational budgets and improving profitability
• Maintaining excellent Health & Safety and quality standards

What we're looking for

You’ll need significant senior operational leadership experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

We're particularly interested in people who have:

• Strong engineering and technical manufacturing knowledge
• Led sizeable production/manufacturing teams
• Delivered measurable improvements in operational performance
• Implemented Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement
• Improved machine reliability, maintenance and OEE
• Successfully led cultural and organisational change
• Developed managers and built stronger leadership teams
• Used KPIs and operational data to drive performance
• Managed budgets and significant capital expenditure
• Strong Health & Safety knowledge within manufacturing

Most importantly, you'll be a visible, hands-on and credible leader. Someone who can engage people at every level, set high standards and hold people accountable while creating a culture people genuinely want to be part of.

If you're an experienced manufacturing or engineering leader looking for an Operations Director role where you can genuinely influence how a business performs and develops, we'd love to hear from you.