Operations Manager

Universal Business Team; Norwich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading family-owned manufacturer near Norwich is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee operational leadership in a growing environment. You will be pivotal in planning and maximising production efficiency while guiding an established team. The role offers a competitive salary of £55,000–£75,000 alongside long-term career progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven success leading operations within a manufacturing or contract-led production business.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with experience managing other managers.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and hands-on leadership across all operational areas.
• Design and deliver an operations roadmap aligned with ambitious growth targets.
• Oversee planning, capacity management, and workflow to maximize machine utilization.

Skills

Leadership

Operational planning

Cost control

Lean methodologies

Data-driven performance management

Job description

Operations Manager – Manufacturing | £55,000–£75,000 | Norfolk

Are you an experienced Operations Manager ready to take full ownership of a fast-growing manufacturing operation?
This is a rare opportunity to join a long-established, third-generation family business with over five decades of success, they are now embarking on an ambitious growth journey that will see turnover more than double within the next two years.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Board, this newly created role will provide overall leadership across the company’s production and warehouse operations. You’ll work with an established team that includes a Production Manager and Shop Floor Supervisor, ensuring every part of the operation performs efficiently, consistently, and in line with wider business goals.

This is a key appointment designed to strengthen the senior leadership structure as the business scales. You’ll bring commercial insight, operational control, and strategic thinking to drive performance, capacity, and profitability — freeing up the Directors to focus on long-term growth.

You’ll take the reins of a modern manufacturing facility currently operating a single day shift, and lead its evolution — from enhanced planning and utilisation to future implementation of split shifts and automation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across all operational areas.
• Design and deliver an operations roadmap aligned with ambitious growth targets.
• Oversee planning, capacity management, and workflow to maximise machine utilisation and achieve OTIF targets.
• Use data‑driven insight to monitor efficiency, productivity, and cost control, protecting and improving EBITDA performance.
• Champion lean principles and continuous improvement initiatives across the site.
• Collaborate closely with Planning, Customer Service, and the wider leadership team to ensure seamless information flow and delivery alignment.
• Lead future‑focused initiatives such as shift restructuring, automation investment, and site expansion.

About You

You’ll be a commercially minded Operations Manager who thrives in a hands‑on, growing manufacturing environment, someone who can combine people leadership with data‑driven performance management.

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven success leading operations within a manufacturing or contract‑led production business.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with experience managing other managers.
• Confident in operational planning, resource allocation, and cost control.
• Knowledge of Lean, CI, or similar manufacturing improvement methodologies.
• Proactive and strategic mindset — able to deliver both daily excellence and long‑term transformation.

Why Apply?

• Join a respected, family‑owned manufacturer with a 50+ year heritage and strong order book.
• Report directly to the Board with full operational autonomy.
• Play a central role in an ambitious growth and modernisation plan.
• Competitive salary (£55,000–£75,000) plus long‑term progression opportunities.
• Core hours: 7:00am–4:30pm (Mon–Fri)
• Based at the company’s manufacturing facility in Neatishead, near Norwich.