Operations Director

Eileen Richards Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment consultancy is seeking an Operations Director to lead engineering excellence for a growing company specializing in high-performance food machinery. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the food industry and precision engineering, along with a proven track record in operational leadership and continuous improvement. This role offers an opportunity to drive significant operational transformation and ensure the delivery of world-class processing solutions.

Benefits

Car allowance

Bonuses

Comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in manufacturing machinery for the food industry.
• Deep technical expertise in precision engineering and food-processing machinery design.
• Strong leadership track record in a quality-driven engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to high-level operations decisions.
• Lead cross-functional teams ensuring performance excellence.
• Oversee the engineering process from design to commissioning.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing methods.
• Build relationships with customers and handle technical discussions.
• Support strategic plan development with the Managing Director.

Skills

Operational leadership

Engineering leadership

Precision engineering

Technical communication

Continuous improvement

Job description

Operations Director (Manufacturing)

Loughborough

c£90,000 p.a. DOE + car/allowance, bonuses and benefits

Lead. Engineer. Transform.

• Are you a powerhouse of operational and engineering leadership?
• Do you have proven experience in the food-processing machinery sector?
• Do you thrive on driving precision, innovation and performance in complex, technical manufacturing environments?

This isn’t just another Operations Director role; it’s your chance to lead engineering excellence and shape the future of a business designing and building world-class processing solutions for the food industry!

The Company:

growing and reputable company renowned for its innovation and precision in delivering high-performance food machinery.

This role will also encompass working with sister businesses specialising in stainless‑steel fabrication, packaging systems and automation: Aqualine by Alway, BagForm International and Alway Electrical. The group continues to expand and now seeks a visionary Operations Director to drive engineering and operational transformation.

Role & Responsibilities of the Operations Director:

• Play a pivotal role within the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to high‑level decisions that shape the future of operations and growth.
• Lead and empower cross‑functional teams ensuring excellence across production, engineering, design and installation, ensuring excellence in performance, quality and delivery.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end engineering process from design for manufacture through to assembly and commissioning, ensuring technical accuracy, efficiency and innovation.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing methods, materials and machinery design, embedding lean principles and world‑class engineering practices.
• Champion technical excellence within project execution, supporting teams to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver precision‑built equipment on time and on budget.
• Build and maintain high‑trust relationships with customers, including handling involved, technical discussions and ensuring their needs are met with precision.
• Support the development and execution of strategic plans, working closely with the Managing Director and business owner.
• Help drive commercial success with a keen eye on operational KPIs, budgets, and customer satisfaction.

About You as the Operations Director:

• Must have hands‑on experience in manufacturing machinery for the food industry, this is essential.
• Deep technical expertise in precision engineering, stainless‑steel fabrication and food‑processing machinery design.
• Strong leadership track record in a high‑pace, quality‑driven engineering and manufacturing environment.
• Commercially astute with strong financial awareness across production costs, budgets and operational performance.
• A confident, empathetic leader who balances strategic vision with operational execution.
• Excellent communicator who thrives in technical environments and enjoys engaging with clients and stakeholders at all levels.

Please note by applying for this role you give consent for ER Recruitment to retain your CV for up to 24 months for the purposes of assisting you to find your next role unless you notify us otherwise.

While we aim to get back to all applicants, if you do not receive a response within 7 working days then unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We are here to help with your career so please send a copy of your CV to us. If you know of anyone else who is looking for their next opportunity, please feel free to refer them to us or pass on our details.

We look forward to hearing from you.