Operations Manager

Holt Engineering Ltd; Horsham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Holt Engineering Ltd in Horsham, West Sussex, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing and programme operations. This hands-on leader will plan, coordinate and control all operational processes to ensure productivity, quality, safety and customer satisfaction.

You will drive performance across end-to-end product delivery, spares and repairs within your programme scope, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet lead times and cost targets.

Qualifications

• Experience leading day-to-day manufacturing and programme operations in a complex environment.
• Proven ability to plan, coordinate and control operational processes to meet productivity, quality, safety and customer targets.
• Experience with Lean, Kaizen or Six Sigma methods.
• Strong data analysis, reporting and KPI management skills.
• Proven leadership and hands-on management style in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations to meet plan, cost and quality targets.
• Develop capacity and resource plans with the Operational Excellence Manager.
• Monitor KPIs to improve productivity and quality.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement throughput improvements.
• Ensure assets and facilities are maintained and operational.
• Own health and safety performance and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Programme, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality teams.
• Provide operational insights for strategic planning and decision-making.
• Resolve escalated operational issues promptly.
• Support customer engagement and planning with the Programme Lead.

Skills

Operational processes

Continuous improvement

Data analysis

MRP/ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

Engineering or manufacturing degree

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Operations Manager - Manufacturing & Programme Operations

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Hours: Full time 37.5p/w

Salary: Dependent on Experience

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing and operational delivery within a complex, programme-led environment. This is a key leadership role responsible for planning, coordinating and controlling all operational processes to ensure productivity, quality, safety and customer expectations are consistently met or exceeded.

Purpose of the Role

You will be accountable for the end-to-end delivery of products, spares and repairs within your programme scope, ensuring agreed lead times, cost targets and service levels are achieved. Working closely with the Operational Excellence Manager, Programme Lead and cross-functional partners, you will drive performance, remove bottlenecks and embed continuous improvement across the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations to ensure consistent delivery against plan, cost and quality targets.


• Develop capacity and resource plans in collaboration with the Operational Excellence Manager, covering people, materials, space and equipment.


• Monitor and act on KPIs to improve productivity, efficiency and quality.


• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions to optimise throughput and utilisation.


• Ensure assets, equipment and facilities are maintained and fully operational.


• Own health and safety performance in your area, ensuring compliance with legal and company requirements.


• Work closely with Programme, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing and Industrialisation teams to support business goals.


• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards and regulatory requirements.


• Provide operational insights to support strategic planning and decision-making.


• Resolve escalated operational issues quickly and effectively.


• Support the Programme Lead with customer engagement, collaboration and planning activities.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical & Professional

• Strong understanding of operational processes, workflow optimisation and performance management.


• Experience with continuous improvement tools (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma).


• Confident in data analysis, reporting and KPI management.


• Engineering or manufacturing degree (or equivalent experience) gained in a complex manufacturing environment.


• Proven experience using MRP/ERP systems.


• Advanced user of Microsoft Office applications.

Leadership & Behavioural

• Strong leadership and team-building skills with a hands-on management style.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills at all organisational levels.


• Proven stakeholder management and relationship-building across multiple functions.


• A change manager champion for Operations, able to lead and embed new ways of working