Operations Manager

ZENOVO; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenovo is recruiting an Engineering Operations Manager to lead an electronic systems manufacturing operation in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The role reports to the General Manager and oversees 160 employees across five functions, with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost and people.

You will steer production, test, manufacturing engineering, planning and CI activities, translating strategy into actionable plans while driving Lean deployment and cross-functional collaboration to sustain growth

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver operational strategies that drive business performance and growth.
• Demonstrated success leading operational change, organisational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing managers across multiple operational functions.
• Proven track record of building high-performing teams and improving Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People performance.
• Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence and performance improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the operational management team, building capability, accountability and succession.
• Deliver objectives across safety, quality, delivery, cost and people, aligned with customer and business requirements.
• Translate business strategy into operational priorities, plans and measurable outcomes.
• Lead the deployment and development of the Production Systems, focusing on Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement to improve productivity, quality, efficiency and cost.
• Build effective partnerships across operational, engineering and support functions to achieve shared objectives.
• Optimise manufacturing, test and engineering capabilities through process improvement, automation and technology investment.
• Align production schedules, capacity and resources with customer demand, material availability and S&OP requirements.
• Promote a strong safety, quality and environmental culture, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and ISO standards.
• Establish robust governance and performance reviews, using data and benchmarking to drive improvement and manage risk.
• Ensure people, processes and technology support operational excellence, sustainable growth and the sharing of best practice.

Skills

Senior leadership

Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing

Operational Excellence

Change leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Education

Engineering degree

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Job description

Job Title

Engineering Operations Manager

Location

Eastbourne (On-Site Working)

Salary

£90,000 - £100,000 (+ Bonus & Benefits)

Please Note

Only candidates with permanent, unrestricted UK working rights will be considered, as visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

Overview

Zenovo is supporting a key client in the search for an Operations Manager to lead their electronic systems manufacturing operation in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead five functional managers across Production, Test, Manufacturing Engineering, Planning and Continuous Improvement, overseeing approximately 160 employees.

Your focus will be on driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams and delivering improvements across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People, while shaping site strategy and supporting future business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Development: Lead and develop the operational management team, building capability, accountability and succession.
• Operational Performance: Deliver objectives across safety, quality, delivery, cost and people, aligned with customer and business requirements.
• Strategic Leadership: Translate business strategy into operational priorities, plans and measurable outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement:Lead the deployment and development of the Production Systems, focusing on Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement to improve productivity, quality, efficiency and cost.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build effective partnerships across operational, engineering and support functions to achieve shared objectives.
• Manufacturing and Technology: Optimise manufacturing, test and engineering capabilities through process improvement, automation and technology investment.
• Planning and Readiness: Align production schedules, capacity and resources with customer demand, material availability and S&OP requirements.
• Health, Safety and Quality: Promote a strong safety, quality and environmental culture, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and ISO standards.
• Performance Management: Establish robust governance and performance reviews, using data and benchmarking to drive improvement and manage risk.
• Organisational Excellence: Ensure people, processes and technology support operational excellence, sustainable growth and the sharing of best practice.

Required Skills & Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver operational strategies that drive business performance and growth.
• Demonstrated success leading operational change, organisational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing managers across multiple operational functions.
• Proven track record of building high-performing teams and improving Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People performance.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence and performance improvement methodologies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and change leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget management and cost reduction.

Desirable Experience

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Science or a related subject, or equivalent industry experience.
• Qualification in Operations Management, Business, Leadership or Technology Management.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or an equivalent continuous improvement qualification.
• Experience in electronics or other technically complex manufacturing environments.
• Experience implementing automation, digital manufacturing or new manufacturing technologies.