Site Operations Director

Role Overview

Aurora Lifesciences are working with an exciting Medtech who are seeking an experienced Site Operations Director to take overall leadership responsibility for a growing UK manufacturing facility.

This is a broad site leadership role with accountability for operations, people, safety, quality, performance, budget and future scale-up
. The successful individual will effectively operate as the General Manager for the site, ensuring that local execution remains aligned with wider corporate objectives.

You will lead the site through a period of continued growth, building the structure, systems and leadership capability required to support increased manufacturing volumes while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and operational performance.

• Take overall accountability for the safe, compliant and effective running of the manufacturing site.
• Set and communicate clear site-level objectives aligned with wider business strategy.
• Act as the primary escalation point for significant operational and site-related issues.
• Create clear accountability across both direct-reporting and matrixed functions.
• Work closely with senior global stakeholders to ensure alignment between corporate strategy and site execution.

• Lead the continued development and scale-up of manufacturing operations.
• Improve throughput, productivity and overall operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, cost and operational inefficiencies.
• Develop the site's capacity and infrastructure in line with future commercial demand.
• Drive structured problem-solving and continuous improvement across Operations.

• Establish and own a site-wide performance framework covering:
  • Safety
  • Quality
  • Delivery
  • Cost
  • Productivity
  • Operational efficiency
• Build effective reporting and review structures that provide clear visibility of site performance.
• Use data to identify emerging issues, drive corrective actions and improve accountability.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout the facility.

• Ensure manufacturing operations remain compliant with the company's Quality Management System.
• Maintain a strong level of site audit and inspection readiness.
• Work closely with Quality and Regulatory functions to ensure operational activities support applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensure employees are appropriately trained and competent against relevant manufacturing and quality standards.
• Support timely resolution of audit findings, corrective actions and compliance issues.

Experience with in an FDA-regulated and ISO 13485 manufacturing environment would be highly advantageous.

• Act as a visible leader for Health, Safety and Environmental performance across the facility.
• Champion a strong safety-first culture across all departments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UK health and safety requirements.
• Partner closely with the site's EHS function to promote best practice and continuous improvement.

• Build and develop a high-performing site leadership team.
• Assess existing organisational capability and identify areas requiring development.
• Establish clear communication and operating rhythms across the site.
• Lead workforce planning, organisational design and future headcount requirements.
• Support succession planning and development of future leadership capability.
• Partner closely with HR on culture, engagement and organisational development.

• Own and manage the site's operating budget.
• Lead capital expenditure planning and prioritisation.
• Monitor site financial performance against agreed objectives.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities and efficiency improvements.
• Ensure operational investment supports both current manufacturing requirements and future growth.

• Own the site's longer-term facilities and infrastructure roadmap.
• Ensure the site has appropriate capacity, equipment and infrastructure to support growth.
• Manage key external suppliers and contractors across areas such as:
  • Facilities
  • Equipment
  • IT
  • Engineering services
  • Site support services
• Ensure supplier performance supports operational reliability and compliance.

• Minimum 10 years' progressive leadership experience within manufacturing or operations.
• At least 5 years in a senior site, plant, operations or general management position.
• Experience working within a Medtech manufacturing environment. (Essential)
• Strong experience leading manufacturing operations and operational teams.
• Proven success improving operational performance, productivity and efficiency.
• Experience scaling operations within a growing or changing organisation.
• Strong change management and organisational development capability.
• Experience leading through a matrix structure and influencing functions outside of a direct reporting line.
• Strong financial understanding, including responsibility for…