Operations Manager : Fabrication

TipTopJob; Oldham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Oldham Engineering Limited in Oldham seeks an Operations Manager to lead the fabrication area, driving safety, efficiency, and quality.

You will work with senior teams to deliver on time, within budget, and develop the fabrication function. The role requires strong leadership, cost control, and continuous improvement across processes and teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience within a fabrication, heavy engineering, or similar operational environment.
• Experience in an operational management role with responsibility for overseeing workshop‑based activity, supporting managers and supervisors, and improving operational performance.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, welding, materials, drawings, inspection requirements, workflow, and workshop controls.
• Ability to improve efficiency, reduce costs, strengthen quality, and support wider business improvements.
• Good knowledge of quality systems, production planning, operational controls, and performance measures relevant to fabrication activity.
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to support, influence, and develop managers.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for the fabrication area, ensuring activity is aligned with wider business objectives, budget, quality standards, and customer delivery requirements.
• Work closely with the Fabrication Manager to review performance, workload priorities, labour planning, material flow, and effective use of equipment and resources.
• Support the Fabrication Manager in resolving operational issues, removing barriers, and ensuring fabrication work is planned, controlled, and delivered effectively.
• Work with other departments, and senior management teams to ensure fabrication activity is coordinated and aligned across the business.
• Monitor performance, including output, efficiency, quality, safety, rework, labour utilisation, and delivery performance, providing regular updates and improvement recommendations.
• Control and monitor costs within the fabrication area, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and use resources effectively.
• Ensure fabrication standards, quality requirements, welding procedures, work instructions, and inspection processes are followed consistently through appropriate management and support of the fabrication team.
• Drive continuous improvement across fabrication processes, workflow, housekeeping, communication, and team performance.
• Support the development of the Fabrication Manager, supervisors, and wider fabrication team, promoting accountability, effective communication, and a positive working environment.
• Support the HSQE team in maintaining a safety:first culture and ensuring fabrication activities comply with company procedures and current legislation.

Skills

5+ years experience

Operational management

Fabrication processes

Leadership & development

Quality systems & measures

Job description

About The Company

Oldham Engineering Limited is a well:established medium sized engineering business with a long history and exciting plans for business growth.

Job Title: Operations Manager
Location: Oldham
Salary: Competitive
Job Type: Full time, Permanent

About The Company

Operating from its UK manufacturing sites in Oldham and Sheffield, the company has premium engineering facilities totalling over 150,000 sqft. The business is ISO9001 certified and holds the Investors in People accolade.
This is a unique opportunity to join an established and highly regarded engineering business.

About The Role

The main purpose of the role is to provide broader leadership and direction across the fabrication area of the business, to ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This role will focus on operational performance, process improvement, resource planning, cross:functional alignment, and the continued development of the fabrication function.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for the fabrication area, ensuring activity is aligned with wider business objectives, budget, quality standards, and customer delivery requirements.
• Work closely with the Fabrication Manager to review performance, workload priorities, labour planning, material flow, and effective use of equipment and resources.
• Support the Fabrication Manager in resolving operational issues, removing barriers, and ensuring fabrication work is planned, controlled, and delivered effectively.
• Work with other departments, and senior management teams to ensure fabrication activity is coordinated and aligned across the business.
• Monitor performance, including output, efficiency, quality, safety, rework, labour utilisation, and delivery performance, providing regular updates and improvement recommendations.
• Control and monitor costs within the fabrication area, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and use resources effectively.
• Ensure fabrication standards, quality requirements, welding procedures, work instructions, and inspection processes are followed consistently through appropriate management and support of the fabrication team.
• Drive continuous improvement across fabrication processes, workflow, housekeeping, communication, and team performance.
• Support the development of the Fabrication Manager, supervisors, and wider fabrication team, promoting accountability, effective communication, and a positive working environment.
• Support the HSQE team in maintaining a safety:first culture and ensuring fabrication activities comply with company procedures and current legislation.

Health And Safety

• It is your responsibility to work in a safe manner to promote personal safety and the safety of others to prevent accidents occurring and report all near misses.
• Move materials safely and carefully using the correct mechanical lifting method.
• Use the appropriate PPE and ensure it is in good condition, replace when required.
• Follow the companys Health and Safety Policy at all times.

About You

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Minimum of 5 years experience within a fabrication, heavy engineering, or similar operational environment.
• Experience in an operational management role with responsibility for overseeing workshop:based activity, supporting managers and supervisors, and improving operational performance.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, welding, materials, drawings, inspection requirements, workflow, and workshop controls.
• Ability to improve efficiency, reduce costs, strengthen quality, and support wider business improvements.
• Good knowledge of quality systems, production planning, operational controls, and performance measures relevant to fabrication activity.
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to support, influence, and develop managers, su