Operations Director

Ten Human Resources; Watford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ten Human Resources is recruiting an ambitious Operations Director to lead the strategic and operational development of a UK manufacturing business supplying aluminium windows and related products. Reporting to the Owner, you will steer day-to-day operations and drive sustainable growth as the company scales from £30 million to £50 million turnover.

You will build high-performing teams across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain and quality, champion lean practices, and implement scalable

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within engineering, manufacturing, or high-volume production environments.
• Qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Production Management, or a related discipline.
• Proven record of scaling businesses during rapid growth.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary manufacturing teams.
• Strong commercial awareness balancing operational performance and profitability.
• Excellent leadership, communication and people development skills; ability to influence at all levels.
• Hands-on, pragmatic approach combined with strategic thinking.
• Experience in façade, glazing, aluminium systems or related sectors advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies to grow turnover from £30m to £50m.
• Own day-to-day operations, working closely with the Owner.
• Lead manufacturing, engineering, production, supply chain, quality, logistics and CI.
• Drive efficiency, productivity, quality and customer satisfaction.
• Implement scalable systems, structures and processes for growth.
• Mentor senior management across the business.
• Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Oversee capacity planning, resources, investments and performance.
• Ensure health, safety, quality and environmental standards.
• Contribute to strategic direction and succession planning.

Skills

Senior leadership

Manufacturing operations

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional leadership

Commercial acumen

People development

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering/Production management qualification

Job description

About Us

We are a highly successful and respected UK manufacturer of specialist aluminium windows, doors, curtain walling systems, and high-end glazing solutions serving the retail, commercial, and architectural sectors. Renowned for quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service, we have built a strong reputation as a market leader within our industry.

With annual turnover currently exceeding £30 million, we are entering an exciting phase of growth and are seeking an exceptional Operations Director to help drive the business to £50 million turnover within the next 4 to 5 years.

This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic, ambitious, and financially strong company where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Owner, you will take a leading role in the strategic and operational development of the company. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will gradually assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of the business, ensuring operational excellence whilst delivering sustainable growth.

This role requires a commercially aware and hands-on leader with a proven track record of scaling manufacturing operations, developing high-performing teams, and implementing effective business processes.

The successful candidate will lead by example, inspire confidence throughout the organisation, and bring the vision, discipline, and expertise required to support significant expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies to support the business growth plan from £30 million to £50 million turnover.
• Take ownership of day-to-day business operations, working closely alongside the Owner.
• Lead and develop all operational departments including manufacturing, engineering, production, supply chain, quality, logistics, and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational efficiency, productivity, quality standards, and customer satisfaction.
• Implement scalable systems, structures, and processes capable of supporting substantial growth.
• Develop and mentor senior management teams across all areas of the business.
• Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee capacity planning, resource management, investment projects, and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the company and play a key role in future succession planning.

The Person

We are seeking an ambitious and highly capable operations leader with a strong engineering and manufacturing background.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within engineering, manufacturing, or high-volume production environments.
• A recognised qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Production Management, or a related discipline.
• A proven record of successfully scaling businesses and managing periods of rapid growth.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across manufacturing operations.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational performance and profitability.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and people development skills.The ability to influence, motivate, and lead at every level of the organisation.
• A hands-on and pragmatic approach combined with strategic thinking.
• Experience within façade, glazing, fenestration, aluminium systems, building products, or related sectors would be advantageous but is not essential.

What We Offer

• An outstanding career opportunity within a highly successful and growing business.
• A genuine platform to make a significant impact on the future direction of the company.
• Close collaboration with an entrepreneurial and highly respected business owner.
• The opportunity to lead a major growth journey and help build one of the industry's leading organisations.
• Excellent remuneration package with performance-related incentives.
• Long-term career progression opportunities within a thriving business.