Senior Director, Operations

Novanta Inc.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Novanta Stockport in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior Director of Operations to provide strategic leadership across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, facilities, and operational excellence. The role focuses on enabling growth, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 capabilities within its Stockport Centre of Excellence, a high-technology laser technology facility serving global customers.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you will drive operational transformation, build a

Qualifications

• Senior operations leadership experience within a high-technology manufacturing environment.
• Proven success driving operational transformation and continuous improvement.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong supply chain and manufacturing leadership capability.

Responsibilities

• Driving operational excellence across manufacturing and supply chain.
• Building a high-performing and engaged workforce.
• Leading business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Delivering operational scalability to support growth.
• Advancing digital manufacturing, automation, and Industry 4.0 capabilities.
• Influencing long-term business strategy and value creation.

Skills

Senior operations leadership

Operational transformation

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Continuous improvement

Supply chain leadership

Team development

Global matrix organisations

Job description

Senior Director, Operations

Date: 2026-10-17T00:00:00

Location: Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester

GB

M2 5DB

Application Deadline: 2026-11-17T10:00:53.347

Build a career powered by innovations that matter! At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people's lives, and redefining what's possible. We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Looking for a great place to work? You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration, and empowerment. Come explore Novanta.

Senior Director, Operations

Location: Stockport, United Kingdom

Lead Operations. Drive Transformation. Shape the Future.

At Novanta, our technologies enable some of the world's most advanced healthcare and manufacturing applications. We are now seeking an exceptional Senior Director, Operations to provide strategic leadership across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, facilities, and operational excellence for our Stockport business.

Novanta Stockport is a Centre of Excellence, focused on developing and manufacturing a broad range of laser technologies for global customers. It is a scaling, state-of-the-art facility, manufacturing across multiple Novanta product lines.

Why this role?

This is far more than a site leadership position. You will be a key member of the senior leadership team with responsibility for:

• Driving operational excellence across manufacturing and supply chain
• Building a high-performing and engaged workforce
• Leading business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
• Delivering operational scalability to support growth
• Advancing digital manufacturing, automation, and Industry 4.0 capabilities
• Influencing long-term business strategy and value creation

What you will bring:

• Senior operations leadership experience within a high-technology manufacturing environment
• Proven success driving operational transformation
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement
• Strong supply chain and manufacturing leadership capability
• Demonstrated success developing future leaders and high-performing teams
• Experience operating within complex global matrix organisations

Why join Novanta?

• Global technology leader
• High-growth precision manufacturing environment
• Executive-level influence
• Industry-leading products and innovation
• Opportunity to define the future operational strategy of the business

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, for example with applications, interviews, or assessments, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner. We will work with you to understand your needs and make appropriate arrangements so you can perform at your best.

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy. Please call if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.

Summary

• Location: Stockport, United Kingdom
• Type: Full time

#s1-Gen

Build a career powered by innovations that matter! At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing-improving productivity, enhancing people's lives and redefining what's possible. We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications-from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Looking for a great place to work? You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment. Come explore Novanta.Senior Director, OperationsStockport, United KingdomLead Operations. Drive Transformation. Shape the Future.At Novanta, our technologies enable some of the world's most advanced healthcare and manufacturing applications. We are now seeking an exceptional Senior Director, Operationsto provide strategic leadership across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, facilities, and operational excellence for our Stockport business.Novanta Stockport is a Centre of Excellence, focused on developing and manufacturing a broad range of laser technologies for Global customers. A scaling, state of the art facility, manufacturing across multiple Novanta product lines.Why this role?This is far more than a site leadership position.You will be a key member of the senior leadership team with responsibility for:Driving operational excellence across manufacturing and supply chainBuilding a high-performing and engaged workforceLeading business transformation and continuous improvement initiativesDelivering operational scalability to support growthAdvancing digital manufacturing, automation and Industry 4.0 capabilitiesInfluencing long-term business strategy and value creationWhat you will bring:Senior operations leadership experience within a high-technology manufacturingenvironmentProven success driving operational transformationExpertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and continuous improvementStrong supply chain and manufacturing leadership capabilityDemonstrated success developing future leaders and high-performing teamsExperience operating within complex global matrix organisationsWhy join Novanta?Global technology leaderHigh-growth precision manufacturing environmentExecutive-level influenceIndustry-leading products and innovationOpportunity to define the future operational strategy of the businessWe are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, for example with applications, interviews, or assessments, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner.We will work with you to understand your