Operations Manager

AUSTIN MATLEY; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life assurance

Increasing holiday entitlement

Onsite parking

Additional employee benefits

Job summary

AUSTIN MATLEY in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing and related functions. You will drive efficiency, oversee production planning, procurement, and logistics, and champion a data-driven approach to improve margins and service levels.

The role requires broad operational leadership in manufacturing, with a focus on continuous improvement, cost control, and team development within a dynamic, on-site environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing/production and supply chain operations.
• Strong procurement, logistics, inventory, production planning and quality knowledge.
• Data-driven with KPI reporting and cost/margin awareness.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or Dynamics NAV.
• Proven people leadership and ability to develop teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing and operational activity.
• Improve processes and systems to boost productivity and reduce waste.
• Drive KPIs: OTIF, productivity, quality, stock accuracy, service levels.
• Manage procurement, supplier performance, logistics and distribution.
• Improve forecasting, replenishment and inventory management.
• Use ERP data to improve visibility and decision-making.
• Control operational costs and improve margins.
• Lead and develop the operations team.
• Support workforce planning and growth.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

Skills

Operational leadership

Procurement

Logistics

Inventory management

Production planning

Quality management

KPI reporting

ERP systems

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics NAV

Job description

Operations Manager | Manufacturing | Milton Keynes | On-Site

We are partnering with a growing, privately owned manufacturing business based in Milton Keynes to appoint an experienced Operations Manager.

This is a key leadership appointment within an ambitious business supplying specialist products into the construction and building interiors sector. The Operations Manager will take ownership of day-to-day operational performance while helping to develop the processes, systems and team capability required to support continued growth.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will lead across production, planning, procurement, supply chain, logistics, warehousing, stock control and quality, with a strong focus on operational efficiency, customer service and commercial performance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading day-to-day manufacturing and operational activity.
• Improving processes, workflows and systems to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Driving operational KPIs including OTIF, productivity, quality, stock accuracy and service levels.
• Managing procurement, supplier performance, logistics and distribution.
• Improving forecasting, replenishment and inventory management.
• Using ERP data and operational reporting to improve visibility and decision-making.
• Controlling operational costs and identifying opportunities to improve margin.
• Leading, developing and creating accountability across the operations team.
• Supporting workforce planning and building capability for future growth.
• Embedding a culture of continuous improvement, pace, ownership and high performance.

About You

We are looking for an established Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Head of Operations or similar operational leader with experience gained within manufacturing, engineering, construction products or a related environment.

You will ideally bring

• Broad operational leadership experience across manufacturing/production and supply chain.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, logistics, inventory, production planning and quality.
• Experience improving operational processes and implementing measurable efficiencies.
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of cost, margin and working capital.
• A data-led approach to operational management and KPI reporting.
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics NAV or a comparable ERP system.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to coach, challenge and develop teams.
• A hands-on approach combined with the ability to step back and improve the wider operation.

This environment will particularly suit someone who is positive, resilient, pace-driven and comfortable taking ownership. You will need to enjoy being close to the operation, solving problems and getting results rather than operating purely at a strategic level.

Package

Benefits

• Pension
• life assurance
• increasing holiday entitlement
• onsite parking
• additional employee benefits

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing manufacturing business where the Operations Manager will have genuine scope to influence how the operation develops and scales.