Operations Manager

Operations Manager
Kettering, UK
Salary:
Up to £50,000 per annum (DOE)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week

We are recruiting an Operations Manager on behalf of an established UK-based manufacturing business operating in a low-volume, high-value engineering environment. This is a hands‑on leadership role with responsibility for end‑to‑end operational delivery, combining production, service, logistics, and customer‑facing activity.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring customer commitments are met on time, to quality standards, and within margin expectations, while supporting ongoing business growth and continuous improvement.

The Operations Manager will act as the central link between engineering, production, sales, and customers, ensuring what is sold can be delivered profitably and reliably. The role includes both operational leadership and commercial input, with involvement in customer engagement, service development, and strategic initiatives.

• Own and improve end‑to‑end delivery performance from order acceptance through to shipment, installation, commissioning, and service
• Lead integrated planning across sales, engineering, production, service, and procurement
• Act as escalation point for delivery issues, ensuring proactive communication and mitigation

• Manage and support team leaders across:
• Mechanical production and assembly
• Electrical build, calibration, and commissioning
• Global service and technical support
• Logistics and order fulfilment
• Ensure activities follow agreed processes and quality standards
• Ensure defects and issues are logged, escalated, and resolved effectively

• Deliver financial objectives through sound operational decision‑making
• Reduce cost leakage through improved planning, sourcing feedback, and make‑or‑buy decisions
• Work closely with Sales, Buying, and Engineering teams to support commercial outcomes
• Report operational financial performance against budget

• Act as a senior operational contact for key customers
• Support development of service offerings, training, upgrades, and aftermarket opportunities
• Contribute operational and technical input into marketing, product positioning, and business development activity

• Lead, coach, and develop team leaders to improve accountability and planning discipline
• Promote a commercially aware, customer‑focused culture
• Support training, skills development, and succession planning

• Improve consistency of operational processes without unnecessary bureaucracy
• Strengthen feedback loops between production, service, and engineering teams
• Support governance, documentation, and compliance standards

Essential:

• Engineering background (mechanical and/or electrical)
• Proven experience in operations or production management
• Experience leading technical or production teams
• Strong planning, coordination, and problem‑solving skills
• Commercial awareness and decision‑making capability
• Confident communicator with internal teams and customers
• Comfortable in a low‑volume, high‑value manufacturing environment
• Willing to challenge constructively and drive improvement

Desirable:

• Experience with test equipment, machinery, or capital equipment
• Exposure to service, commissioning, or calibration activities
• Customer‑facing or account support experience
• Involvement in business development or product marketing
• Knowledge of CE / UKCA or regulated machinery environments
• Experience managing subcontract manufacture

• Competitive salary up to £50,000 (DOE)
• 25–30 days annual leave (service related) plus bank holidays
• Life assurance
• Group personal pension plan
• Income protection
• Free on‑site parking
• Flexible working hours
• Potential for global travel

If interested, please apply here or call Kim to discuss further.