Operations Manager

AUSTIN MATLEY; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; 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 manufacturing and related functions on-site. The role covers production, planning, procurement, supply chain, logistics, warehousing, stock control and quality with a strong focus on operational efficiency and customer service.

The successful candidate will drive continuous improvement, coach teams, manage supplier performance, optimize inventory and use ERP data to enhance visibility and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing/production and supply chain.
• Strong procurement, logistics, inventory and planning knowledge.
• Proven ability to implement measurable process improvements.
• Commercial awareness with understanding of cost, margin and working capital.
• Data-led approach to KPI reporting and decision making.
• Experience using ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing and operational activity.
• Improve processes to boost productivity and reduce waste.
• Drive KPIs including OTIF, productivity, quality, stock accuracy and service levels.
• Manage procurement, supplier performance, logistics and distribution.
• Improve forecasting, replenishment and inventory management.
• Use ERP data and reporting to improve visibility and decisions.
• Control costs and identify margin-improvement opportunities.
• Develop and hold the operations team accountable.
• Support workforce planning and capability building for growth.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

Skills

Operational leadership

Procurement & logistics

KPI reporting

People management

Data-driven decision making

ERP knowledge

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.