Operations Manager

UBT; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UBT in Derby is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead manufacturing, supply chain, and delivery functions. You will drive performance, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction across complex bespoke productions.

The role requires senior leadership with a continuous improvement mindset to maximise margins and quality, while building a high-performing team across sites in the UK.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an operations leadership role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong understanding and practical application of lean manufacturing principles.
• Experience managing and improving OTIF (On Time In Full) performance.
• Commercially minded with a strong focus on margin, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Solid understanding of end-to-end production, supply chain, and delivery operations.
• An effective leader with the ability to engage, challenge, and develop teams.
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Experience within bespoke or made-to-order manufacturing is advantageous.
• Excellent, progressive working environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead both manufacturing sites to deliver products to specification, on time, and within gross profit targets.
• Oversee production scheduling and capacity planning across a range of order types.
• Drive quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives across all operations.
• Monitor and reduce waste, rework, and downtime within manufacturing processes.
• Oversee all delivery and installation operations, ensuring projects are executed in line with customer expectations.
• Coordinate effectively with internal teams to ensure operational readiness, clear communication, and successful execution.
• Ensure a high-performing and responsive customer service function.
• Oversee order management from confirmation through to completion.
• Implement effective escalation processes to protect and maintain customer relationships.
• Ensure material availability and supplier performance support operational requirements.
• Contribute to product development decisions from a manufacturability and cost perspective.
• Strengthen supplier relationships and negotiate commercial terms where appropriate.
• Report directly to senior leadership with clear, data-driven insights.
• Own the operational budget and identify opportunities for cost efficiency.
• Build and lead a high-performing, engaged team culture.
• Lead and support cross-functional improvement initiatives as the business scales.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

OTIF management

People leadership

Cost control

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Derby | Manufacturing | Bespoke Furniture for the Care Sector

About the Company

A well-established and growing UK manufacturer specialising in the design and production of high-quality, bespoke furniture for the care sector is seeking an experienced Operations Manager.

The business creates environments that are safe, durable, and fit for purpose, and continues to expand its operations in line with increasing demand.

Role Overview

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility across manufacturing, supply chain, customer service, and delivery.

You will oversee overall operational performance, ensuring products are delivered to specification, on time, and within target margins. The role requires strong leadership, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to drive efficiency across all operational functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead both manufacturing sites to deliver products to specification, on time, and within gross profit targets
• Oversee production scheduling and capacity planning across a range of order types
• Drive quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives across all operations
• Monitor and reduce waste, rework, and downtime within manufacturing processes
• Oversee all delivery and installation operations, ensuring projects are executed in line with customer expectations
• Coordinate effectively with internal teams to ensure operational readiness, clear communication, and successful execution
• Ensure a high-performing and responsive customer service function
• Oversee order management from confirmation through to completion
• Implement effective escalation processes to protect and maintain customer relationships
• Ensure material availability and supplier performance support operational requirements
• Contribute to product development decisions from a manufacturability and cost perspective
• Strengthen supplier relationships and negotiate commercial terms where appropriate
• Report directly to senior leadership with clear, data-driven insights
• Own the operational budget and identify opportunities for cost efficiency
• Build and lead a high-performing, engaged team culture
• Lead and support cross-functional improvement initiatives as the business scales

Requirements

• Proven experience in an operations leadership role within a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong understanding and practical application of lean manufacturing principles
• Experience managing and improving OTIF (On Time In Full) performance
• Commercially minded with a strong focus on margin, cost control, and operational efficiency
• Solid understanding of end-to-end production, supply chain, and delivery operations
• An effective leader with the ability to engage, challenge, and develop teams
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach
• Experience within bespoke or made-to-order manufacturing is advantageous
• Excellent, progressive working environment

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing business
• Broad scope with full operational responsibility
• Collaborative environment with strong growth ambitions
• Work within a sector that delivers meaningful impact