Operations Manager - Continuous Improvement & Compliance

Bedford Introduction Saab Uk; Yardley Hastings; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking an Operations Manager to drive governance, compliance, and continuous improvement across the BlueBear operations in Bedfordshire. The role coordinates audits, risk, and business continuity while implementing scalable controls and KPI tracking to support strategic objectives.

You will ensure compliance with export controls, health & safety, and information management, working with Saab UK functions and external partners.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and change adoption across teams.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Self-motivated with minimal supervision.
• Experience implementing risk management policies.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Familiarity with ISO 27001.
• Awareness of export control, health & safety and environmental management.
• Experience in defence industry and UK MOD.
• As a National Security Vetting clearance is required to SC level.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Lead process standardisation and compliance with ISO QMS.
• Coordinate export control, health & safety and security.
• Develop and track KPIs aligned to the Strategic Plan.
• Implement customer feedback capture and monitor changes.
• Coordinate internal and external audit activity.
• Lead business continuity management activities.
• Support new compliance standards and tools.
• Deliver internal training on continuous improvement.
• Champion information management within BlueBear.
• Support project activity and manage the Facility Coordinator.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Self-starter

Change management

Risk management

Quality management

ISO 9001

ISO 27001

Export control

Health & Safety

Environmental management

Defence industry

UK MOD

NSV Clearance

Job description

Saab UK is seeking an Operations Manager to drive governance, compliance, and continuous improvement across the BlueBear operations in Bedfordshire. The role coordinates audits, risk, and business continuity while implementing scalable controls and KPI tracking to support strategic objectives.

You will ensure compliance with export controls, health & safety, and information management, working with Saab UK functions and external partners.