Operations Manager

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join a well-established and highly respected precision engineering and manufacturing business based in Halifax.

The business has a long and successful history within the engineering sector and has built an excellent reputation for quality, technical expertise and customer service. Its capabilities include precision machining and the manufacture of specialist engineered components for customers across the UK and internationally.

This is a key position within the business, and we are looking for an established Operations Manager with a proven track record of successfully managing and improving a manufacturing operation within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

You will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance of the business, working closely with the owners and management team to ensure production, people, quality, delivery and commercial performance are consistently maintained and improved.

For the right individual, there is a genuine long-term opportunity to progress into an Operations Director position, with the potential to acquire a shareholding in the business following a period of proven success, delivery and contribution.

The Role

As Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day manufacturing operation, ensuring people, machinery, materials and production capacity are effectively managed to meet customer requirements.

You will be a visible and hands-on leader within the operation, working closely with production, engineering, quality and planning teams to identify issues, improve performance and ensure customer commitments are met.

Key responsibilities will include taking overall responsibility for day-to-day manufacturing and operational performance, leading, managing and developing production and engineering teams, ensuring production schedules and customer delivery commitments are achieved, monitoring workflow, capacity, productivity and resource requirements, identifying and resolving production bottlenecks and operational issues, monitoring key operational KPIs and taking action where performance falls below expectations, and driving improvements in productivity, efficiency, machine utilisation and cost control.

You will ensure work is completed to the required quality and customer specification, working closely with Quality to address non-conformances and prevent recurring issues. You will also ensure Health & Safety standards and company procedures are maintained, while supporting recruitment, training, development and performance management.

The role will also involve working with purchasing and suppliers to ensure materials, tooling and external services are available when required, supporting decisions around machinery, equipment, tooling and future production capability, and building strong relationships across the business while encouraging a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.

You will provide regular operational updates and performance information to the owners.

About You

The ideal candidate will already be working as an Operations Manager, or in a comparable senior operational position, within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

Most importantly, you will be able to demonstrate a strong track record of managing a manufacturing operation and delivering tangible improvements in performance.

You should have proven experience as an Operations Manager within an engineering or manufacturing environment, together with a strong practical understanding of precision engineering and manufacturing processes.

You will need a demonstrable track record of improving operational performance, experience managing production and engineering teams, and strong knowledge of production planning, capacity management and resource allocation.

Experience using KPIs to measure and improve operational performance is important, as is a good understanding of quality, Health & Safety and compliance requirements.

Commercial awareness, including an understanding of costs, margins and operational efficiency, will also be important, alongside strong leadership and people-management skills, excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and a hands-on and approachable management style.

The successful candidate will have the confidence to take ownership, make decisions and be accountable for results, together with the ambition to take on greater responsibility as the business continues to develop.

The successful candidate will be someone who can demonstrate what they have achieved, rather than simply describe what they have been responsible for.

A Genuine Pathway to Operations Director & Shareholding

This role is being created with the long term in mind.

The immediate requirement is for an experienced Operations Manager who can take ownership of the operation, deliver improvements and demonstrate measurable results.

For the individual who achieves this, there is a genuine opportunity to progress into an Operations Director position, taking on increased responsibility for the wider strategic and commercial performance of the business.

Over time, and following proven successes, sustained performance and the development of mutual trust, there is also the potential for the successful individual to acquire a shareholding in the business.

This is an opportunity for an established Operations Manager who is ambitious, commercially minded and looking for a genuine long-term pathway towards senior leadership and, ultimately, ownership.

What's on Offer

£50,000 – £70,000 depending on experience.

Pension.

Long-term career opportunity.

Genuine progression to Operations Director.

Potential future shareholding, subject to proven success and agreement.

Significant autonomy and influence within an established engineering business.

The opportunity to play a major role in the future growth and development of the company.

If you are an established Operations Manager with a proven track record of delivering results and are looking for an opportunity where your success could ultimately lead to a Director position and potential shareholding, this is an opportunity worth exploring
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed