Operations Manager

RPG Recruitment; Munster; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

RPG Recruitment seeks an Operations Manager for a fast-growing plastics manufacturing SME in Waterford City. This senior role reports to Directors and oversees production, planning, purchasing, logistics, quality, and support functions.

The ideal candidate has a technical degree and 10+ years in manufacturing, with strong ERP and lean improvement experience, plus leadership across multiple teams. Excellent career growth prospects lie ahead.

Qualifications

• Engineering, manufacturing or technical degree/qualification.
• 10+ years' management experience in manufacturing/engineering.
• Strong polymer plastics manufacturing experience (thermoforming, fabrication, tooling, CNC...).
• Proven track record managing multiple teams and improving output.
• Experience in process-controlled manufacturing with accuracy and traceability.
• Confident ERP/business systems user for planning and reporting.
• Lean/CI experience with practical automation opportunities.
• Experience overseeing administration, finance, HR or office functions.
• Strong factory operations management and people leadership.
• Technical understanding of plastics materials, tooling and processes.
• Ability to read, interpret and challenge drawings and specs.
• Understanding of planning, capacity, workflow and deadlines.
• Ability to create structure, accountability and discipline across teams.
• Commercially aware, calm under pressure, able to identify bottlenecks early.
• Experience improving ERP, automation and digital processes.
• Experience in bespoke or customer-specific manufacturing.
• CAD experience (2D/3D) would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• 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 Finance, HR & Office Manager to ensure payroll support, staffing information, training records and management information.
• Ensure drawings, specifications and materials are understood before production starts and resolve issues early.
• Drive continuous improvement across workflow, systems, ERP use, quality and efficiency.
• Support customer account managers where technical, delivery or operational input is needed.
• Balance technical detail, people management, delivery performance and commercial priorities.

Skills

Plastic manufacturing

Lean manufacturing

ERP systems

Data-driven planning

Team leadership

Process improvement

Quality control

CAD skills

Drawing interpretation

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

CAD (2D/3D)

ERP 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.