Operations Manager - Aerospace

Applus+; Willenhall; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading inspection and certification company in the UK is seeking an Operations Manager to manage site operations. You will ensure compliance with safety and quality standards while overseeing financial performance and team dynamics. The ideal candidate will have a strong operations management background and a recognized safety management qualification. This role includes responsibility for promoting continuous improvement initiatives and maintaining high standards of service delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong operations management background in a fast-paced environment.
• Experienced leader in customer-facing roles.
• Able to adapt to changing workloads and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day management of site operations.
• Ensure financial deadlines and effective cashflow.
• Support continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives.

Skills

Operations management

Leadership

Problem solving

Customer service

Continuous improvement

Education

Recognised safety management qualification

Experience in Certification, Inspection, and Testing (CIT)

Knowledge of ISO9001 and AS9100 standards

Job description

The Operations Manager will exemplify the standards and values of the business. They will be responsible for the day-to-day management of their site facility, ensuring safe and efficient operation within the department. They will ensure that all necessary headcount, process, and equipment is in place to support company business in a robustly planned and timely fashion. They will ensure that all financial deadlines are adhered to, ensuring effective realisation of cashflow through the business. They will support business growth for their operation(s). Working with the Business Development team to liaise with existing and potential customers; ensuring service offerings are aligned with customer requirements and within the capabilities of the business, and that all quotes provided to customers and potential customers are delivered in a clear and transparent manner and using a standardised format. They will coordinate the provision of the highest quality inspection service, ensuring our customers have a continued sense of trust and security. They will support the implementation of continuous improvement and cost saving initiatives within their operations and will liaise closely with colleagues, customers, and suppliers to provide the most cost-effective solutions achievable within our industry. They will continuously assess current capabilities against market demand and actively propose developments in existing or alternative technologies. They will endeavour to build closer ties with colleagues throughout the business and look to create a strong team dynamic amongst their direct reports, creating a stable working environment for their team. They will support and encourage all team members to reach their full potential. Reports to: General Manager/Operations Director Liaises with: Direct Reports, HSEQ Team, Commercial Team, Finance Team, HR Team, Senior Leadership Team, Client Representatives, Governing and Regulatory bodies, and the Public.

Safety

• Actively promote and maintain the Company's high standards for Health, Safety, and Environment by ensuring compliance with the HSEQ policy
• Ensure availability of Health, Safety, Environmental & Quality documents and procedures, and transmittal of these to all appropriate stakeholders
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, promote the ownership of HSEQ responsibility throughout their reporting line
• Participate in company and client HSEQ initiatives
• Report all instances of vulnerability, threat, or breach as per company procedures

Quality

• Actively promote and maintain the Company's high standards for Quality by ensuring compliance with the HSEQ policy
• Ensure full compliance with all company and group procedures on Physical and Information Security, including operational control and secure handling of records
• Ensuring all NDT inspections are correctly certified and those records of inspections are retained for the statutory period
• Ensure effective contract review is performed prior to progressing work orders
• Ensuring that the quality of work performed is to a standard which is acceptable to the company, any applicable regulatory authorities, and the customer
• Collaborate with the HSEQ team to resolve any findings/deficiencies reported during audit within the specified timescale
• Timely identification and reporting of any non-conformance in the quality system and execution of corrective and preventative action
• Support HSEQ department during internal and external audits for key accreditations notably NADCAP, ISO 9001, AS9100

Delivery

• Co-ordinate headcount and equipment to ensure delivery of service expectations
• Developing and maintain good relationships with clients and suppliers
• Investigate and resolve any matters which are likely to have a serious effect on delivery performance
• Attend meetings focused on fabrication, quality, and operational issues
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to clients

Cost

• Accountable for the financial performance of the location and control of costs to ensure it meets sales, budget, and profitability targets
• Ownership of P&L
• Collaborate with the Business Development team, and Commercial Management as appropriate, to produce and submit quotations/inspection rates in a timely manner
• Authorise spending within approved limits
• Ensure timesheets are completed accurately and submitted ahead of deadlines

People

• Ensure headcount and training resource is appropriate to maintain and grow the business
• Support staff hiring, appraisals, and development, including training plans
• Ensure the availability of technical resources to support Inspection activities
• Action and resolve staff issues, including disciplinary actions
• Identify appropriate deputies and ensure effective succession planning, encourage personal growth and continuing development of direct reports
• Work closely with other Company geographical locations to ensure operational resource levels are maintained

Process

• Maintain inspection capability and resources in accordance with the Company's policies, standards, and procedures
• Co-ordinate and execute activities in accordance with approved procedures for the operation, ensuring that the quality system is adhered to
• Act as part of the NDT management team, participating in meetings and agreeing, controlling, and developing NDT activities and meeting agreed actions
• Contribute to the development of technical procedures for the company. Act as the arbitrator on any technical points concerning how to conduct NDT inspections for the company
• Completion of company assigned training for themselves and throughout their reporting line
• Attend or provide weekly reporting sessions to their Line Manager via written reports or 1:1 meetings

Tools

• Liaise with external service and equipment providers
• Ensure adherence to calibration schedules
• Develop effective preventative maintenance schedules for equipment and building, Be active in promoting and maintaining the Company's high standards for Health, Safety, Environment and Quality by:
• Drive welfare standards throughout the business, challenging any undertaking which may compromise Applus' highest standards of Health and Safety
• Highlighting new working practices which may benefit the Company
• Developing good relationships with clients and suppliers
• Maintaining a clean and safe operations environment
• Participating in Company and client HSEQ initiatives
• Fulfil Information Security responsibilities including operational control and secure handling of records
• Compliance with all company and group procedures on Physical and Information Security
• Be responsible for completing company assigned training on information security and data confidentiality

Qualifications

• Strong Operations management background, experienced people leader, working in a fast paced and dynamic environment
• Background in Certification, Inspection, and Testing (CIT), or precision engineering and manufacturing
• Recognised safety management qualification
• Quality Management System (QMS) and Safety Management System (SMS) experience
• Knowledge of NADCAP, ISO9001 and AS9100 standards
• Experienced customer facing leader, able to communicate effectively, problem solve, and adapt to changing workloads
• Experience working to established standards within a highly regulated industry
• Continuous improvement and lean initiatives
• P&L ownership and management

Desirable

• Current or lapsed NDT qualifications/certifications
• Radiation safety experience
• Contract review experience, Manages own performance, takes ownership of professional development
• Exceptional time management in a dynamic environment
• Works effectively as an individual and excels when working within a team
• Able to determine succession of key personnel
• Effective delegation of tasks to peers and subordinates
• Highly effective communicator, able to deliver clear, comprehensive, and challenging information to stakeholders at all levels
• Driven to provide excellent customer service while maintaining Applus values
• Able to engage with and motivate high performing individuals and teams
• Capable of effectively measuring performance of direct reports and providing meaningful feedback
• Exceptional planning, critical thinking, and adaptability