Operations Manager

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead a strategically important manufacturing site in Southern Germany. This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven manufacturing leader who thrives in a dynamic production environment and is passionate about operational excellence, people development, and continuous improvement.

As Operations Manager, you will have full responsibility for the site's manufacturing operations, driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost. You will lead a multidisciplinary team while partnering with key business functions to deliver sustainable growth and operational excellence.

• Take full ownership of all plant operations, ensuring world-class manufacturing performance.
• Lead the execution of production plans while meeting quality, delivery, productivity, and financial objectives.
• Champion a culture where safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement are embedded in everyday operations.
• Develop, coach, and inspire production leaders and operational teams, creating a high-performance working environment.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives and operational excellence programmes to improve efficiency, optimise workflows, and reduce waste.
• Manage the site's operational budget, identifying opportunities for cost optimisation and improved resource utilisation.
• Define and execute the site's operational strategy to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainable business growth.
• Build strong partnerships across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Product Management, R&D, and Commercial teams to successfully deliver business objectives.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs, using data-driven decision-making to identify opportunities and implement improvements.
• Provide regular business updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing expertise with exceptional leadership skills and a passion for driving operational transformation.

• A degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or another relevant technical discipline.
• More than 10 years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment, ideally in the electronics or advanced industrial sector.
• Extensive experience leading manufacturing operations with a strong focus on Lean Manufacturing, Shop Floor Management, and Continuous Improvement.
• Demonstrated success managing complex operations and leading organisational change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all organisational levels.
• Strong analytical thinking, strategic planning, and decision-making capabilities.
• A collaborative leadership style with proven experience building engaged, high-performing teams.
• Fluency in both English and German.

This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact within a highly technical manufacturing environment. You will play a key role in shaping operational strategy, leading transformational initiatives, and developing teams while contributing directly to the long-term success of the business.

If you are a results-driven operations leader with a passion for manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Skills:

operational excellence,management,lean manufacturing,manufacturing,leadership,operations,teams,decision-making,operational strategy,continuous improvement