Operations Director

Smurfit Westrock; Mold; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Mold, North Wales, seeks an experienced Operations Director to drive site performance and strategic growth. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team across Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics, Quality, and Safety, delivering operational excellence.

The role reports to the General Manager and requires a track record of manufacturing leadership, change delivery, and stakeholder management in a unionized environment. A strategic, hands-on leader is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Proven track record of delivering operational performance improvements and business results.
• Experience leading large, multi-functional teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic planning capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies that support both current and future business requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing operations leadership team across multiple functions.
• Drive a world-class safety culture with an unwavering commitment to achieving zero harm.
• Deliver manufacturing excellence through continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Build organisational capability through talent development, succession planning, and skills development programmes.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships within a unionised environment.
• Manage operational, maintenance, and capital expenditure budgets to support performance and future growth.
• Contribute to strategic business planning as a senior leader and provide leadership support in the General Manager's absence.

Skills

Senior leadership

Manufacturing experience

People leadership

Continuous improvement

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Unionised environment

Safety culture

Job description

Mold, North Wales

Are you an experienced senior operations leader with a passion for manufacturing excellence, people leadership, and continuous improvement? We are seeking an exceptional Operations Director to join our flagship manufacturing site in Mold, North Wales, to play a pivotal role in driving operational performance, growth, and strategic success.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, this is a critical leadership position responsible for shaping and delivering the site's operational strategy while fostering a culture where safety, quality, customer service, performance, and continuous improvement are at the centre of everything we do.

The Opportunity

As Operations Director, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team across Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics, Quality, Health & Safety, and Continuous Improvement. You will be a key member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic direction while ensuring operational excellence is delivered consistently across the site.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a large-scale manufacturing environment, leading transformational initiatives and helping to shape the future of a flagship operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies that support both current and future business requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing operations leadership team across multiple functions.
• Drive a world-class safety culture with an unwavering commitment to achieving zero harm.
• Deliver manufacturing excellence through continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Build organisational capability through talent development, succession planning, and skills development programmes.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships within a unionised environment.
• Manage operational, maintenance, and capital expenditure budgets to support performance and future growth.
• Contribute to strategic business planning as a senior leader and provide leadership support in the General Manager's absence.

About You

We are looking for a visible, credible, and inspirational leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational expertise.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• A strong track record of delivering operational performance improvements and business results.
• Experience leading large, multi-functional teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic planning capability.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working within a unionised environment.
• A passion for safety, quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Resilience, drive, integrity, and a commitment to developing people and teams.

What We Offer

• A highly competitive remuneration package.
• Opportunity to lead within one of our flagship manufacturing sites.
• Significant scope to influence business strategy and operational performance.
• Excellent career development and progression opportunities within a successful and growing organisation.
• A dynamic and collaborative leadership environment.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on a high‑profile manufacturing operation.

Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of their employment as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.