Operations Manager

Reed; Mayfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary £60,000 - £80,000

Opportunity to shape business strategy

Long-term development potential

Culture of operational excellence

Job summary

Reed is seeking an experienced Group Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations across manufacturing, distribution and customer fulfilment in East Sussex and Kent. You will drive performance improvements, build structure, and partner with the leadership team on strategy.

The role requires hands-on leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record of delivering efficiency and service improvements while maintaining high standards of quality and health and safety.

Qualifications

• Significant operational leadership experience within manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, engineering, industrial, or multi-site environments.
• Proven success in improving business performance through process improvement and operational excellence.
• Experience managing multiple functions rather than a single operational area.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational priorities and business goals.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• A structured and analytical approach to problem solving and decision-making.
• Experience supporting business growth, transformation, or scaling activity.
• Ability to work strategically while remaining hands-on in delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, and customer fulfilment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, service levels, and profitability.
• Develop and refine operational processes, systems, and reporting structures to support business growth.
• Manage cross-functional teams and ensure all departments remain aligned with wider business objectives.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs, data analysis, and management reporting.
• Partner with directors on strategic planning and broader business development activity.
• Identify operational risks, capacity constraints, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead change projects, process redesign, and wider transformation initiatives.
• Ensure high standards of quality, compliance, customer service, and health and safety are maintained.

Skills

Operational leadership

Process improvement

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

KPIs & reporting

Stakeholder management

Hands-on delivery

Change management

Manufacturing knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Group Operations Manager

• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: East Sussex and Kent
• Salary: £60,000 - £80,000

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Group Operations Manager to join a growing multi-channel business operating across manufacturing, distribution, and direct-to-customer environments. This Group Operations Manager position would suit someone who enjoys hands-on leadership, building structure, and driving performance improvements that support long-term growth. The successful Group Operations Manager will work closely with the leadership team to influence both day-to-day operations and future business strategy.

Day to day of the role

• Lead daily operations across manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, and customer fulfilment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, service levels, and profitability.
• Develop and refine operational processes, systems, and reporting structures to support business growth.
• Manage cross-functional teams and ensure all departments remain aligned with wider business objectives.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs, data analysis, and management reporting.
• Partner with directors on strategic planning and broader business development activity.
• Identify operational risks, capacity constraints, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead change projects, process redesign, and wider transformation initiatives.
• Ensure high standards of quality, compliance, customer service, and health and safety are maintained.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Significant operational leadership experience within manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, engineering, industrial, or multi-site environments.
• Proven success in improving business performance through process improvement and operational excellence.
• Experience managing multiple functions rather than a single operational area.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational priorities and business goals.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• A structured and analytical approach to problem solving and decision-making.
• Experience supporting business growth, transformation, or scaling activity.
• Ability to work strategically while remaining hands-on in delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £60,000 - £80,000.
• Opportunity to play a key role in shaping business direction and future strategy.
• Long-term development potential within a growing organisation.
• A business culture that values new ideas, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.