Operations Manager

Wolviston Management Services; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolviston Management Services is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join our client’s site. You will lead the manufacturing organisation, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient plant operations while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

As a member of the Site Leadership Team, you will champion a strong EHS culture, develop high-performing teams and work with Maintenance, Engineering and Supply Chain to align activities with site priorities and business objectives.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with Chartered Engineer status or progress towards chartership desirable.
• Operational leadership experience in chemical manufacturing or major hazard environment.
• Knowledge of process safety, EHS compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Proven track record in improving safety, reliability, productivity and cost performance.
• Experience coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading organisational change and sustainable improvements.
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership.
• Experience in unionised environments would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the manufacturing organisation to drive safety, environmental, quality and operational objectives.
• Ensure plant operations are safe and efficient per procedures and permits.
• Champion EHS excellence, operational discipline and continuous improvement.
• Drive improvements in plant performance, reliability and OEE to support business and customer requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop Shift Managers and the wider operations team, building capability and talent.
• Manage operational costs while identifying and delivering productivity improvements.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Maintenance and Engineering to align manufacturing activities with site priorities.
• Provide operational and technical leadership to support safe, reliable plant performance.
• Ensure plant modifications and capital projects meet operational and EHS standards.
• Maintain accountability for Safe Control of Work process and safety in decision-making.
• Contribute as a Site Leadership Team and Site Duty Team member.

Skills

Operational leadership

Change management

Communication skills

Team development

Problem-solving

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status or progress towards chartership

Job description

Operations Manager

We're supporting our fantastic client in the recruitment of an experienced Operations Manager to join their industry leading organisation.

This is a key leadership position within an Upper-Tier COMAH manufacturing environment, with responsibility for ensuring safe, reliable and efficient plant operations while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence across the manufacturing organisation.

As part of the Site Leadership Team, you will provide visible leadership across operations, champion a strong EHS culture and develop high-performing teams capable of delivering against safety, reliability, quality, productivity and cost objectives.

You will play an important role in shaping operational strategy and the future performance of the site, working closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain and other key functions to ensure manufacturing activities remain aligned with wider business objectives.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader who is passionate about developing people, improving plant performance and maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational discipline.

Key Responsibilities

As Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead the manufacturing organisation, driving strong performance across safety, environmental, quality and operational objectives.
• Ensure plant operations are carried out safely and efficiently, in accordance with site procedures, regulatory requirements and environmental permits.
• Champion a culture of EHS excellence, operational discipline and continuous improvement.
• Drive improvements in plant performance, reliability and overall equipment effectiveness to support business and customer requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop Shift Managers and the wider operations team, building capability, succession strength and future talent.
• Manage operational costs while identifying and delivering productivity and performance improvements.
• Work collaboratively with Supply Chain, Maintenance and Engineering teams to align manufacturing activities with site priorities.
• Provide operational and technical leadership to support safe, reliable and effective plant performance.
• Ensure plant modifications and capital projects meet the required operational and EHS standards.
• Maintain accountability for the Safe Control of Work process, ensuring safety remains at the heart of operational decision-making.
• Contribute as a key member of the Site Leadership Team and Site Duty Team, supporting site-wide performance, governance and leadership standards.

You Will Ideally Have

• A degree in an appropriate engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status or progress towards chartership desirable.
• Proven operational leadership experience gained within chemical manufacturing or a similarly regulated major hazard environment.
• Strong knowledge of process safety, EHS compliance, operational risk management and regulatory requirements.
• A successful track record of improving safety, reliability, productivity and cost performance within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing operational teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence effectively across functions and organisational levels.
• Experience leading organisational change and delivering sustainable operational and business improvements.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with visible, hands‑on operational leadership.
• Experience working within a unionised environment would be advantageous