Operations Manager

Theo James Recruitment; Pickering; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Theo James Recruitment is recruiting an experienced Operations Manager for a large, high‑volume manufacturing site in Pickering. You will lead a multi‑shift operation, drive safety, quality and productivity, and work with engineering, quality, maintenance, logistics and HR to deliver SQDCP objectives.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will shape operational standards, develop leaders and implement cost‑reduction initiatives, ensuring continuous improvement across all production lines.

Qualifications

• We are looking for an accomplished manufacturing leader with experience operating at scale in a complex, high‑volume production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day manufacturing across multiple processes (injection moulding, painting, assembly).
• Develop Production Managers, Supervisors and the wider operational leadership team.
• Ensure plans meet customer demand and schedules.
• Set operational priorities and maintain standards across shifts.
• Drive safety, quality, delivery, cost and people performance.
• Monitor performance and take corrective action when targets are at risk.
• Improve OEE, labour productivity, downtime and scrap/rework.
• Develop and maintain KPIs and visual management systems.
• Analyse production losses and lead structured problem solving.
• Identify and deliver cost reductions and productivity gains.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Improve flow, line balance and standard work; manage changeovers.
• Develop capability and accountability of leadership team; succession planning.
• Maintain visible leadership across the plant and collaborate cross‑functionally to resolve issues.

Skills

Tier 1 automotive

Injection moulding

Leading large teams

Multi‑process management

Production planning & KPIs

Productivity & quality improvement

Multi‑shift operations

Lean manufacturing & problem solving

Job description

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Pickering, North Yorkshire

Salary: Competitive

The Company

Theo James Recruitment is partnering with an established, high-volume manufacturing business to recruit an experienced Operations Manager for its site in Pickering. Employing approximately 490 people, the site is a substantial and complex manufacturing operation incorporating injection moulding, painting and assembly alongside automated and semi-automated production equipment. This is a senior leadership appointment offering significant responsibility for the performance of the manufacturing operation, its people and the continued development of operational standards across the site. For an experienced Operations Manager who enjoys being visible on the shop floor, developing people and driving measurable improvements, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact within a large-scale manufacturing environment.

Job Description

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Operations Manager will take responsibility for leading and optimising day-to-day manufacturing operations across a multi-shift production environment. You will provide visible and decisive leadership across the production organisation, ensuring people, processes, equipment and materials are effectively coordinated to deliver against Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People (SQDCP) objectives. Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Logistics, HR and other support functions, you will play a key role in creating a culture centred around operational excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the day-to-day manufacturing operation across injection moulding, painting and assembly


• Leading and developing Production Managers, Supervisors and the wider operational leadership team


• Ensuring production plans are achieved against customer demand and agreed schedules


• Establishing clear operational priorities and maintaining consistent standards across all shifts


• Driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost and people


• Monitoring manufacturing performance and taking decisive corrective action where targets are at risk


• Driving improvements in OEE, labour productivity, downtime, scrap, rework and manufacturing efficiency


• Developing and maintaining effective KPIs and visual management systems


• Analysing production losses and leading structured problem-solving activity


• Identifying and delivering cost-reduction and productivity initiatives


• Championing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement


• Improving production flow, line balance, standard work and changeovers


• Developing the capability, performance and accountability of the production leadership team


• Creating a strong pipeline of operational talent and supporting succession planning


• Maintaining a visible leadership presence throughout the manufacturing operation


• Working cross-functionally to resolve operational issues and protect customer delivery


• Ensuring improvements are embedded, standardised and sustained across all shifts

Skills Required

We are looking for an accomplished manufacturing leader with experience operating at scale in a complex, high-volume production environment.

• Tier 1 automotive manufacturing experience


• Extensive injection moulding experience and knowledge.


• Proven experience leading and developing large production teams


• Experience managing multiple manufacturing processes and production areas


• Strong understanding of production planning, manufacturing KPIs and performance management


• Demonstrable experience improving productivity, quality and delivery performance


• Experience working within a multi-shift manufacturing operation


• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and structured problem solving

Why Join?

• Scale - Take a senior leadership position within a substantial manufacturing operation employing approximately 490 people.


• Ownership - Take responsibility for operational performance across a complex, multi-process manufacturing environment.


• Impact - Have a direct influence on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost and overall manufacturing performance.


• Leadership - Lead and develop a sizeable production organisation while strengthening capability and accountability throughout the operational leadership team.


• Continuous Improvement - Play a central role in improving OEE, productivity, manufacturing efficiency, waste and operational standards.


• Variety - Work across multiple manufacturing processes, including injection moulding, painting, assembly and automated production equipment