Operations Leader

BAE Systems.; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent defence contractor in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking an Operations Leader to drive operational excellence and manage team performance. The ideal candidate holds a STEM degree and has a strong background in engineering and management. This full-time, onsite role offers competitive pay and numerous benefits including a pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Cycle2work

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• STEM Degree or equivalent essential.
• Experience in management and building management systems.
• Engineering or Heavy Engineering background necessary.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Support real-time planning for optimal efficiency.
• Facilitate team actions to progress work activities.

Skills

STEM Degree or equivalent

Management

Leadership

Continuous improvement toolsets

Knowledge of building management systems

Engineering background

Education

Engineering or Heavy Engineering Degree

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Operations Leader
Location: Barrow-In-Furness - Onsite
Salary: £47,271+ Depending on experience

What you'll be doing

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement throughout the team to enable Operational Excellence
• Help support and maintain the Operational/Project Management structure including the encouragement and maintenance of continual improvement of the process
• Support real time planning of work and influence the business to ensure the active window of the production system for full utilisation, optimal efficiency and effectiveness of the team
• Spend significant time on the job providing support to the team to ensure clarity and completion of tasks and targets through sharing expertise, coaching and the facilitation of appropriate development
• Be a facilitator of the team (support the team by coordinating actions to progress work activities)
• Drive and manage the team to execute the plan and ensure work is progressed effectively and efficiently in line with Cost and Quality specifications
• Represent the company through effective and regular communication, guidance and coaching with the team (including targets, progress, outcomes and consequence) to ensure their engagement in the business direction

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• STEM Degree or equivalent
• Management, Leadership and the application of continuous improvement toolsets
• Knowledge and experience of building management systems (BMS)
• Engineering or Heavy Engineering background

Desirable:

• Experience with the Creation, receipt, maintenance and disposal of documents and records
• Experience with Manufacturing business knowledge including strategy, plans, key objectives, milestones and their dependencies
• Understanding of facilities management compliance to statutory requirements
• Knowledge of Nuclear industry and regulatory compliance

Benefits

You'll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a Company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You'll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Site, Infrastructure & Facilities (SIF) Team

The Site, Infrastructure & Facilities Team is a critical function within BAE Systems Submarines, responsible for ensuring that the physical estate, supporting infrastructure, and facilities are safe, compliant, operational, efficient, and capable of supporting current and future submarine programmes. This includes maintaining and modernising the site, managing services & utilities, supporting projects, and ensuring regulatory and safety standards are met. We offer relocation support packages across all submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.

Closing Date: 3rd October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.