Head of Operations

Sapien Engineering; Connacht; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

KPI-based bonus (negotiable)

Job summary

Sapien Engineering is seeking a Group Head of Operations to lead its UK and Irish operations. The role oversees Manufacturing, Projects, Design, Installation and Commissioning across sites and requires strong leadership in food manufacturing and a track record of improving performance.

The successful candidate will manage budgets, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate with the MD and senior team to deliver the operations strategy. Regular UK travel is required.

Qualifications

• Senior Operations or Manufacturing leadership in food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of food production environments.
• Experience across multi-site operations.
• Track record of improving performance, productivity and profitability.
• Experience overseeing manufacturing, engineering, project delivery and installation.
• Experience leading managers and large teams.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, including budgeting and cost control.
• Experience implementing operational processes and KPIs.
• Ability to influence at senior level and translate strategy into delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group's operational functions across the UK and Ireland, covering Manufacturing, Projects, Design, Installation and Commissioning.
• Work closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team to develop and deliver the Group's operational strategy.
• Manage, support and develop departmental managers, ensuring clear objectives, accountability and consistent standards across both sites.
• Drive operational performance through effective planning, scheduling, resource management and KPI reporting.
• Establish and improve processes, systems and controls to increase efficiency, productivity and quality.
• Take responsibility for operational budgets and cost performance, working with Finance to monitor manufacturing costs, labour productivity and profitability.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives, with Lean or Six Sigma experience beneficial.
• Ensure operational activities meet relevant quality, health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across the wider workforce.

Skills

Senior leadership

Operations management

Budgeting & cost control

Lean Six Sigma knowledge

Job description

Sapien are working with an established and growing engineering and food manufacturing business to recruit a Group Head of Operations to lead its UK and Irish operations.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for overseeing the full operational function across both sites, including Manufacturing, Projects, Design, Installation and Commissioning.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in food manufacturing, with proven experience leading complex, multi-functional operations. They will be commercially astute,

strategically minded and capable of driving business performance while managing the day-to-day demands of a busy manufacturing environment.

There is also potential for progression to Operations Director for the right candidate.

Team & Reporting Structure

The role will oversee a substantial operational team across the UK and Ireland:

• 9 direct management reports (4 based in Ireland and 5 in the UK).
• Approximately 55 additional staff across the wider operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Group's operational functions across the UK and Ireland, covering Manufacturing, Projects, Design, Installation and Commissioning.
• Work closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team to develop and deliver the Group's operational strategy.
• Manage, support and develop departmental managers, ensuring clear objectives, accountability and consistent standards across both sites.
• Drive operational performance through effective planning, scheduling, resource management and KPI reporting.
• Establish and improve processes, systems and controls to increase efficiency, productivity and quality.
• Take responsibility for operational budgets and cost performance, working with Finance to monitor manufacturing costs, labour productivity and profitability.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives, with Lean or Six Sigma experience beneficial.
• Ensure operational activities meet relevant quality, health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across the wider workforce.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a senior Operations or Manufacturing leadership role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong understanding of food production and manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing complex, multi-functional operations, ideally across multiple sites.
• Track record of improving operational performance, productivity and profitability.
• Experience overseeing manufacturing, engineering, project delivery and installation functions.
• Demonstrable experience leading managers and large operational teams.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, including budgeting, cost control and performance management.
• Experience implementing operational processes, systems and KPIs.
• Ability to influence at senior level and turn business strategy into practical operational delivery.

Desirable Experience

• Experience managing multi-site operations across the UK and Ireland.
• Exposure to complex, project-led manufacturing and installation environments.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Package & Benefits

• Salary of €90,000 – €110,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Potential KPI-based bonus, negotiable.
• 25 days annual leave.

Location & Working Arrangements

• Permanently based at the company's facility.
• Office-based, five days per week.
• Regular travel to the UK facility, approximately one week every six weeks.
• Monday to Thursday: 08:00–16:30.
• Friday: 08:00–15:30.