Operations Manager

ZipRecruiter; Coventry; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Operations Manager for a manufacturing company in Coventry. This role requires strong leadership and a background in precision engineering or machinery build. The Operations Manager will oversee daily operations, manage a multidisciplinary team, and implement continuous improvement practices. A salary of up to £55,000 p.a. is offered along with excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Operations Manager or similar leadership role in manufacturing.
• Background in precision engineering, machinery build, or CNC machining environments.
• Strong understanding of production planning and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations across the factory including machining, assembly, and production support.
• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team across production and operations.
• Implement lean manufacturing practices and support continuous improvement projects.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

Overview

Owen Daniels are exclusively recruiting on behalf of a well-established and growing manufacturer of bespoke machinery and precision-engineered components. They are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of production, planning, and team leadership across the factory. This is a hands-on leadership role with real autonomy, suited to someone with a strong background in precision engineering or machinery build, who can balance strategic oversight with practical involvement in the shop floor.

Salary: Up to £55,000 p.a. plus excellent benefits
Location: Coventry

The Role

As Operations Manager, you’ll report directly to the Managing Director and take ownership of all site operations – covering production, planning, team performance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations across the factory, including machining, assembly, and production support functions
• Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team across production and operations
• Ensure on-time delivery of customer orders and efficient use of resources
• Work closely with Quality, Engineering, and Purchasing to resolve production issues
• Monitor performance KPIs (OEE, lead times, output, waste) and drive improvement plans
• Implement lean manufacturing practices and support continuous improvement projects
• Manage capacity planning and ensure adherence to production schedules
• Lead daily production meetings and support root cause investigations when needed
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and high performance

Experience / Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Operations Manager or similar leadership role in manufacturing
• Background in precision engineering, machinery build, or CNC machining environments
• Strong understanding of production planning, resource management, and team leadership
• Hands-on approach with the ability to engage directly with shop floor teams
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, customer-focused manufacturing environment
• Experience with lean tools and continuous improvement methods (e.g. 5S, Kaizen, SMED)
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills