Operations Manager

RPG Recruitment; Munster; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

RPG Recruitment in Waterford City seeks an experienced Operations Manager for a fast-growing manufacturing SME. This newly created role reports to the Directors and presents a strong career development path during an exciting growth phase.

The ideal candidate will lead production, planning, purchasing, logistics, quality, and support functions, using ERP data to drive planning and continuous improvement. A technical degree and extensive leadership experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Engineering, manufacturing or technical degree/qualification.
• 10+ years' management experience in manufacturing or technical environment.
• Strong polymer plastics manufacturing knowledge and cross-functional leadership.
• Experience using data to drive planning, reporting and accountability.
• Lean or CI experience with automation understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across production, planning, purchasing, logistics, quality and office functions.
• Ensure work is planned and delivered to meet deadlines, quality requirements and targets.
• Manage operational leads with clear ownership and accountability.
• Maintain high standards for factory cleanliness, organisation and efficiency.
• Use ERP and business data to improve planning, stock control, job tracking and reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR and Office Manager to support payroll information and staffing.
• Read drawings and specs, resolve issues early and ensure production readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement across workflow, ERP use and KPIs.

Skills

Engineering management

Manufacturing leadership

ERP systems

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP systems

CAD software

Job description

Operations Manager required by fast-growing manufacturing SME company based in Waterford City. This newly created role reports to the Directors of the company and is an excellent opportunity for an individual to grow their career, at an exciting time of growth within the company. The company, long established with a positive employee culture makes this an excellent career move to build a strong future career.

The overall purpose of this role is: The Operations Manager will

• Lead the day-to-day running, performance and continuous improvement of factory and wider business operations. This hands‑on senior management role will oversee and link production, planning, purchasing, logistics, quality, technical/design, customer service, finance, HR and office administration.
• The role requires strong factory leadership, plastics manufacturing knowledge and accountability for output, standards, delivery and cross-functional coordination.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead daily operations across production, planning, purchasing, logistics, quality, technical support, customer service and office-based support functions.
• Ensure work is planned, prioritised and delivered in line with customer deadlines, quality requirements and business targets.
• Manage and support operational leads, creating clear ownership, communication and accountability across teams.
• Maintain high standards for factory cleanliness, organisation, workflow, discipline and right‑first‑time quality.
• Use ERP and business data to improve planning, visibility, stock control, job tracking, reporting, cost visibility and decision‑making.
• Work with the Finance, HR & Office Manager to ensure payroll support, staffing information, training records, recruitment administration and management information support operational needs.
• Ensure drawings, specifications, materials and technical requirements are understood before production starts, and resolve design, material, process or quality issues early.
• Drive continuous improvement across workflow, systems, ERP use, quality, housekeeping, administration and efficiency.
• Support customer account managers where technical, delivery or operational input is needed.
• Balance technical detail, people management, delivery performance and commercial priorities.

The ideal candidate will have

• Engineering, manufacturing or technical degree/qualification
• 10+ years' management experience in a manufacturing, factory, engineering or technical environment.
• Strong polymer plastics manufacturing experience, ideally including thermoforming, fabrication, tooling, CNC, assembly or similar.
• Proven experience managing multiple teams or functions and improving output, quality, planning and performance.
• Experience in process‑controlled manufacturing where accuracy, cleanliness, traceability and consistency are important.
• Confident ERP/business systems user with ability to use data for planning, reporting and accountability.
• Lean, continuous improvement or practical process improvement experience, with a practical understanding of automation opportunities in manufacturing.
• Experience overseeing support functions such as administration, finance support, HR administration, office management or business controls.
• Strong factory operations management, people leadership and delegation skills.
• Technical understanding of plastics materials, tooling and production processes.
• Ability to read, interpret and challenge drawings, designs and technical specifications, and support practical changes.
• Strong understanding of planning, capacity, workflow, delivery deadlines and factory performance.
• Ability to create structure, accountability and discipline across teams.
• Commercially aware, calm under pressure and confident identifying bottlenecks, material issues, administration gaps and quality risks early.
• Experience improving ERP, automation, digital processes, production layout, workflow, stock control, job tracking, KPIs or reporting.
• Experience in bespoke or customer‑specific manufacturing.
• Practical 2D and 3D CAD experience would be an advantage.