Head of Operations

Job Vacancy - Head of Operations

The client is a leading manufacturer of precision machined components, assemblies and kit sets for the Oil and Gas, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Defence, Land and Sea Systems, Nuclear and Marine industries and emerging markets.

With an ability to manufacture extremely complicated components and assemblies utilising state of the art equipment and facilities.

They are an AS/EN 9100, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company and offer a fully engineered solution, from design concept through to high volume manufacture, to supply a range of world class products to their customers.

Evaluate every part of our customers’ requirements which enables us to provide a truly bespoke high-quality solution that delivers real value.

Head of Operations - What does the job involve?

Accountable for world class manufacturing operations, the Head of Operations will work collaboratively and strategically with other members of the senior leadership team to demonstrate our passion for the business, put the customer at the heart of everything we do and to achieve overall business success through operational excellence. As a strong leader, coach and mentor, the Head of Operations is responsible for all production and planning activities, along with machine maintenance and for maintaining an effective and engaged operations workforce.

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week.

Dayshift - Monday to Thursday 8.15am to 5.00pm and Friday 8.30am to 1.00pm with 30-minute unpaid break for lunch

Head of Operations - What will my responsibilities include?’

• Delivering excellence in operational performance, harnessing the support of a committed workforce to maximise profitability and improve efficiencies.
• Establishing a culture of continuous business improvement to support the roll out and sustainment of the Senior Operating System.
• Translating the client’s vision and strategic plans into defined, cost-effective, operational plans and challenging and meaningful goals for managers and teams.
• Ensuring adherence to production schedules and delivery of products to the correct specification, quality and cost to meet customer requirements.
• Work with the senior leadership team to drive the business strategy for continued growth and deliver on new business opportunities, balancing the overall picture with attention to detail.
• Deliver strategic plans in operations and through change management, establish processes and disciplines that will enable significant increases in site operational performance and throughput.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to generate CAPEX business cases and overall strategic direction of the company.
• Maintain strong links and relationships with key customers and stakeholders.

Leading and motivating people, including:

• Provide outstanding leadership to direct reports, including effective communications, coaching, development and appraisal to maximise engagement, work output and quality.
• Develop the manufacturing organisation into an effective team with a common vision to put the customer at the heart of everything they do.
• Oversee the deployment of a highly utilised and skilled workforce, continuously reinforcing the links between manufacturing excellence, focusing on the customer, achieving sales and delivering success. Ensuring we deliver what we say we will, to the agreed specifications, standards & deadlines.
• Lead managers at all levels to ensure the workforce is clear, capable, flexible, accountable and motivated and can deliver their best for our customers.
• Manage change effectively.
• Proactively working to enhance collaboration across the different departments, identifying patterns and hot spots, acting quickly to intervene and engage others in changing things for the better.

Setting and achieving high standards, including:

• Undertake an active role within the H&S committee whilst ensuring all operations are executed safely, in accordance with the client’s standards and that a safe working environment is maintained for all staff.
• Manage operational costs within agreed budgetary constraints and work collaboratively with supply chain, quality and engineering to develop and implement improved manufacturing processes that deliver cost reductions.
• Ensure regular reporting of operational KPIs and action plans to drive improvements
• Effective project management - including driving for project completion timelines, monitoring project costs, and ensuring customer needs are met.

Head of Operations - What key skills and experience do I need?

• Must have the right to live and work in the UK (Essential)
• Proven track record of leading operations in a manufacturing environment.
• A hands-on approach.
• Excellent team leadership & delegation skills.
• Ability to view information and make decisions based on broader business context.
• An excellent communicator and influencer.
• Formal Lean and Continuous Improvement training. Track record of lean implementation and development of a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Working in a low volume, batch machine shop environment.
• Commercially and financially astute.
• Strong understanding of business KPIs and performance improvement.
• Engineering experience including a knowledge of milling, turning, grinding and EDM machining operations
• Experience in machine toll TPM planning
• Ability to use ERP systems
• Displays high integrity and honesty
• Emotional intelligence
• Seeks and provides feedback
• Takes initiative
• Develops strategic perspective
• Champions change
• Connects the Group to the outside world
• Resilience
• Computer literate

Head of Operations - What qualifications should I have?

• HNC in either Mechanical/Production Engineering
• Full UK Licence
• Educated to degree standard in a relevant engineering discipline or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge through experience (Desirable)
• Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership (Desirable)
• IOSH Managing Safely at Work - (Desirable)
• Security Clearance (Desirable)