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Operations Director – Manufacturing
£40m Turnover | 200+ Headcount | South Yorkshire
Are you a seasoned operational leader ready to take the reins of a fast-paced, high-value manufacturing business? We’re working with a well-established organisation in South Yorkshire that’s looking for an experienced Operations Director to lead a team of 200+ and oversee all aspects of manufacturing and site operations.
The Role
You’ll be responsible for the full operational remit – from manufacturing and engineering to safety, quality, and supply chain. This is a highly visible role, where you’ll play a key part in shaping the future of the site, working closely with the commercial leadership and key clients to deliver results.
The focus?
Maximise plant performance.
Build and engage a high-performing workforce.
Raise the bar across every operational metric.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading all operational functions across the site – production, engineering, safety, quality, and logistics.
- Driving plant performance and optimising how the site runs, day in, day out.
- Leading change and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensuring compliance with strict safety, regulatory and quality standards.
- Partnering with commercial teams to deliver on client expectations.
- Hitting the numbers – operational KPIs, cost savings, and site profitability.
What We’re Looking For
- A proven leader of manufacturing operations – ideally in a highly regulated sector (automotive, aerospace, medical, energy, etc.).
- Experience of running a large-scale site – 100+ headcount and £multi-million budgets.
- Strong background in lean, CI, and cultural change.
- Confident leading from the front – commercially minded, people focused, and operationally sharp.
- A solid grasp of compliance – especially around health, safety, and quality.
- Someone who can build credibility with teams on the shop floor and around the board table.
