Operations Manager — Compliance & Continuous Improvement

Bedford Introduction Saab Uk; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK in Bedfordshire is seeking an Operations Manager to provide governance, compliance, trials, and business coordination support for the BlueBear operation. You will drive process standardisation and ensure alignment with Saab UK's quality and security requirements.

The role focuses on continuous improvement, KPI tracking, supplier and customer coordination, and risk management, with emphasis on export control, health and safety, and security.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership skills driving organisational change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Motivated self-starter with minimal supervision.
• Experience implementing effective organisational change.
• Experience managing risks and business continuity.
• ISO 9001 quality management system experience.
• ISO 27001 desirable.
• Awareness of UK export control, health & safety, and environmental management desirable.
• Experience with defence industry and UK MOD desirable.
• National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or ability to gain it.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement and high standards across the organisation.
• Standardise processes and ensure compliance with the quality management system.
• Coordinate export control, health & safety, and security with Saab UK functions.
• Develop and track KPIs to support the Strategic Business Plan.
• Capture customer feedback, communicate successes, and track changes.
• Promote Operational Excellence throughout the organisation.
• Coordinate internal and external audit activity.
• Act as Risk and Opportunity Co-ordinator and lead business continuity activities.
• Coordinate compliance activities such as export control with resources and processes.
• Implement new compliance standards and business support tools.
• Capture internal feedback on processes to drive improvements.
• Deliver internal training on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Champion information management within BlueBear.
• Support internal project activity and manage the Facility Coordinator.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Self-motivation

Change management

Risk management

Quality Management Systems

ISO 9001

ISO 27001

Export control awareness

Defence industry experience

National Security Vetting SC

Job description

Saab UK in Bedfordshire is seeking an Operations Manager to provide governance, compliance, trials, and business coordination support for the BlueBear operation. You will drive process standardisation and ensure alignment with Saab UK's quality and security requirements.

The role focuses on continuous improvement, KPI tracking, supplier and customer coordination, and risk management, with emphasis on export control, health and safety, and security.