Head of Operations

Description

To lead and develop all operational functions across manufacturing, supply chain, and production support within a low-volume, high-value engineering environment. The Head of Operations will ensure that safety, quality, delivery and cost metrics are achieved through effective leadership, robust processes, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Ultra I&C's Communications business is recruiting for a Head of Operations, to lead and develop all operational functions across manufacturing, supply chain, and production support within a low-volume, high-value engineering environment.

Based:
Tring, Hertfordshire

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership to Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Logistics teams.

• Own and deliver operational KPIs across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Improvements (SQDCI).

• Drive Lean and 6S principles across all areas to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, waste reduction, and on-time delivery.

• Manage production within a multi-disciplined manufacturing environment including CNC machining, PCB Assembly, Wiring and advanced Mechanical Assembly environment, ensuring strong collaboration between Engineering, Planning, Quality and Purchasing.

• Lead capacity planning, production scheduling, and materials management to meet customer commitments and future demand.

• Champion Health & Safety standards, ensuring compliance with legal, corporate, and ISO management system requirements.

• Lead supply-chain optimisation through strategic sourcing, supplier development, and risk management.

• Support new product introduction (NPI) and R&D programmes, ensuring smooth industrialisation from prototype to production.

• Mentor, coach, and develop team leaders and operators in line with personal development plans and skills matrices.

• Partner with engineering design, procurement, and finance to support business planning, cost reduction initiatives, and margin improvement.

• Drive effective change management through a structured ECR/ECN process, ensuring that changes are prioritised, implemented, and communicated in line with operational and customer demands.

• Ensure robust problem-solving and root cause analysis processes (8D, DMAIC) are embedded across operations.

• Drive a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across all manufacturing operations.

• Join bid team as functional lead, to support major bids where required.

• Own systems for providing accurate product cost and stock valuation

Required

Skills and Experience:

• Proven leadership experience in operations management within precision engineering, defence, aerospace, or similar low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing.

• Demonstrated background in precision manufacturing and electronic assembly, including experience with CNC machining, PCB Assembly, and build-to-print processes in line with RoHS and IPC-A-610 quality standards.

• Recognised engineering apprenticeship and/or HNC/HND/Degree in an engineering discipline.

• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing, 6S, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Excellent working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, capacity planning, and scheduling.

• Demonstrated success in supplier development, quality improvement, and cost reduction.

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills; able to engage, motivate, and develop cross-functional teams.

• Strong analytical mindset with a data-driven approach to performance management.

• High level of Health & Safety awareness with experience implementing safe systems of work.

Desirable

Experience:

• Exposure to carbon fibre composite manufacture, electronic assembly, or RF/waveguide fabrication.

• Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100 quality management systems.

• Experience collaborating with Engineering and R&D teams to industrialise new designs.

• Project management experience within a multi-disciplinary engineering business.

Key Attributes:

• Results-driven, pragmatic, and hands‑on leadership style.

• Confident communicator at all levels of the business.

• Proactive, solution‑focused, and commercially aware.

• Committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates…