Operations & Engineering manager

Job Title: Operations and Engineering Manager
Salary: £50`000.00 - £55`000.00 Per Annum + 15% discretionary bonus.
Based: Fakenham - Norfolk UK.
Type: Permanent

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence across production and engineering, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective site performance aligned with the business plan. You will lead cross-functional teams, embed a continuous improvement and lean culture, and play a key role in shaping site strategy alongside the General Manager.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
- Lead, manage, and develop both operations and engineering teams to achieve site objectives, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
- Deputise for the General Manager when required, representing the site in strategic discussions and decision-making processes.
- Support the development and delivery of site strategy, business plans, and capital projects, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and objectives.
- Build a strong “One Team” culture across production, engineering, logistics, and support functions, promoting teamwork and shared success.

Operations Management
- Drive the implementation of Production Essentials and continuous improvement initiatives, utilising methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to enhance operational efficiency.
- Ensure customer deliveries are achieved on time, in full, to quality and cost targets, maintaining high standards of service and satisfaction.
- Forecast volumes and resource requirements aligned to budget and capacity, using data analytics to inform decision-making.
- Monitor performance, analyse trends, and implement corrective actions to address any deviations from targets.
- Manage budgets, cost control, and operational efficiency, ensuring financial targets are met while maintaining quality standards.

Engineering & Maintenance
- Lead the engineering function to deliver planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and rapid corrective actions, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal performance of equipment.
- Oversee the installation, maintenance, and optimisation of plant, equipment, boilers, and steam systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Ensure engineering resources are effectively planned to support production demands, balancing workload and capacity.
- Manage external suppliers for maintenance, parts, and capital equipment, negotiating contracts and ensuring service level agreements are met.

Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with QHSE policies, legal regulations, COSHH, RIDDOR, and GDPR, fostering a culture of safety and compliance across the site.
- Drive a strong safety-first culture across all teams, implementing training and awareness programmes to promote safe working practices.
- Ensure risk assessments, safe systems of work (SSOW), and training are in place and followed, regularly reviewing and updating procedures as necessary.
- Maintain relevant site accreditations (e.g., ISO standards where applicable), ensuring the site meets all regulatory and quality requirements.

People & Performance
- Lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams across operations and engineering, providing guidance and support to enhance team capabilities.
- Manage performance, absence, training, and employee engagement, implementing strategies to improve morale and productivity.
- Deliver technical training for operators and engineering teams on new equipment and processes, ensuring staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Continuous Improvement & Sustainability
- Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement programmes (e.g., Six Sigma), driving a culture of innovation and efficiency.
- Drive improvements in site efficiency, productivity, and cost reduction, identifying opportunities for optimisation and waste reduction.
- Lead environmental initiatives including energy and WECO reduction, promoting sustainability practices within the organisation.

What will make you stand out?

Experience
- Proven leadership experience in operations and/or engineering within a manufacturing or process environment, demonstrating a track record of success.
- Strong background in industrial maintenance and production management, with a deep understanding of operational processes.
- Experience managing budgets, KPIs, and continuous improvement programmes, with a focus on achieving measurable results.
- Knowledge of steam/boiler systems and engineering operations is highly desirable, providing a technical edge in managing engineering functions.
- Experience in lean manufacturing / Six Sigma methodologies is desirable, showcasing a commitment to operational excellence.

Skills
- Strong leadership and people management capability, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills at all levels, facilitating effective collaboration across departments.
- Commercial awareness with strong analytical and problem-solving ability, enabling informed decision-making.
- Ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- IT literate, proficient in MS Office and ERP systems, utilising technology to enhance operational performance.
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, balancing strategic planning with practical execution.

What's on offer?

Salary: £50`000.00 - £55`000.00 Per Annum + 15% discretionary bonus.
Based: Fakenham - Norfolk UK.
Type: Permanent

- 33 Days Holiday
- Company Pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life Assurance
- On-site Parking
- Private Medical
- Competitive salary circa
- Annual bonus
- Clear career progression within a growing international business.

Please kindly forward your updated cv to apply.

Technique-Recruitment Solutions Ltd is a proud equal opportunities employer, dedicated and specialist to the engineering and manufacturing industries. We work and support some of the most well-known companies in Norfolk and Suffolk. These vacancies are being advertised on behalf of Technique-Recruitment Solutions Ltd who are operating as an employment business and employment agency
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed