Operations Manager (AWDO-P15316)

AWD online; Mobberley; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexitime

27 days' annual leave + bank holidays

Option to buy extra leave

Death-in-service benefit

Discounts on product range

Job summary

AWD online is looking for a manufacturing leader to shape operational performance and unlock growth in an order-driven environment. You will drive reliability, continuous improvement and people leadership across a sizeable production team, collaborating with Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain.

You will have autonomy to set priorities, improve equipment performance and deliver measurable results while balancing hands-on leadership with strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Strong mechanical aptitude with machinery maintenance and asset care.
• Experience with structured root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Analytical decision-making to translate problems into actions.
• Ability to lead, coach and develop managers.
• Excellent delegation and shop-floor leadership.
• Willingness to challenge the status quo.
• Existing right to work in the UK; no sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production department through direct reports with focus on performance, quality and delivery.
• Develop managers and build strong cross-functional relationships.
• Maximise equipment performance and asset reliability.
• Apply root cause analysis and continuous improvement to raise productivity.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Technical and Supply Chain.
• Influence priorities and create capacity for future growth.
• Maintain visible shop-floor leadership with effective delegation.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Root cause analysis

Lean Six Sigma

Analytical thinking

Leadership & coaching

Team collaboration

Right to work in UK

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a manufacturing leader with strong mechanical aptitude to shape operational performance, improve asset reliability and help unlock future growth within an invested, order-driven production environment.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager, Plant Manager, Factory Manager, Department Manager, Site Manager, Manufacturing Lead, Production Lead

Benefits include flexitime, 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, the option to buy up to one week of additional annual leave and death-in-service cover.

SALARY: £59,290 per annum + Benefits

LOCATION: Mobberley, Cheshire, North West England (WA16)

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

WORKING HOURS: 37.5 hours per week; flexitime with flexible start and finish times and the ability to build up and take additional time off work

WHY APPLY?

What if your next manufacturing role gave you the opportunity to make a genuine difference — not just to production performance, but to the future of an entire organisation?

As the Operations Manager you will influence operational strategy, performance and capacity within an ambitious manufacturing environment. You will lead a sizeable production team through direct reports and work closely with Engineering, Quality, Technical and Supply Chain.

The Operations Manager will have autonomy to make operational decisions, influence priorities and recommend improvements while helping maximise equipment performance, process robustness and productivity.

Following significant investment in new manufacturing and film-spooling equipment, the Operations Manager will help unlock asset potential, embed continuous improvement and support future growth.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Operations Manager include:

• Operational Leadership: Lead the production department through direct reports, setting clear expectations and maintaining focus on performance, quality and customer delivery
• People Leadership and Development: Lead, coach and develop managers, delegate effectively and build strong working relationships across the team
• Asset Performance and Reliability: Maximise equipment performance and reliability through sound asset care, maintenance awareness and process improvement
• Continuous Improvement: Apply structured root cause analysis and continuous improvement techniques to solve problems, prevent recurrence and raise productivity standards
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Technical and Supply Chain to maintain robust processes and deliver quality products when customers need them
• Operational Strategy and Growth: Influence operational priorities, recommend improvements and create capacity to support future growth
• Shop-Floor Leadership: Maintain visible engagement with operations while balancing hands-on involvement with effective delegation

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Strong mechanical aptitude with an understanding of machinery, maintenance, asset care and process improvement
• Experience using structured root cause analysis and continuous improvement techniques, including approaches such as Lean Six Sigma
• Confident analytical decision-making with the ability to turn complex problems into clear actions and measurable results
• Ability to lead, coach and develop managers, set clear expectations and build effective working relationships
• Strong delegation and leadership skills with a practical, shop-floor approach
• Constructive ownership, integrity and a willingness to challenge the status quo
• Existing right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available for this role

BENEFITS

• Flexitime with flexible start and finish times and the ability to build up and take additional time off work
• 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to one week of additional annual leave
• Death-in-service benefit of four times annual salary
• Discounts across the company’s product range

JOB REF: AWDO-P15316