Director of Operations in Manufacturing. LilyLifestyle

Operations Director (Manufacturing)

Location: Loughborough

Salary: c £90,000p.a. DOE + car/allowance, bonuses and benefits

Lead. Engineer. Transform.

• Are you a powerhouse of operational and engineering leadership?
• Do you have proven experience in the food-processing machinery sector?
• Do you thrive on driving precision, innovation and performance in complex, technical manufacturing environments?

This isn t just another Operations Director role; it s your chance to lead engineering excellence and shape the future of a business designing and building world-class processing solutions for the food industry!

growing and reputable company renowned for its innovation and precision in delivering high-performance food machinery.

This role will also encompass working with sister businesses specialising in stainless-steel fabrication, packaging systems and automation:
Aqualine by Alway, Bag Form International and Alway Electrical. The group continues to expand and now seeks a visionary Operations Director to drive engineering and operational transformation.

• Play a pivotal role within the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to high-level decisions that shape the future of operations and growth.
• Lead and empower cross-functional teams ensuring excellence across production, engineering, design and installation, ensuring excellence in performance, quality and delivery.
• Oversee the end-to-end engineering process from design for manufacture through to assembly and commissioning, ensuring technical accuracy, efficiency and innovation.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing methods, materials and machinery design, embedding lean principles and world-class engineering practices.
• Champion technical excellence within project execution, supporting teams to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver precision-built equipment on time and on budget.
• Build and maintain high-trust relationships with customers, including handling involved, technical discussions and ensuring their needs are met with precision.
• Support the development and execution of strategic plans, working closely with the Managing Director and business owner.
• Help drive commercial success with a keen eye on operational KPIs, budgets, and customer satisfaction.

• Must have hands-on experience in manufacturing machinery for the food industry, this is essential.
• Deep technical expertise in precision engineering, stainless-steel fabrication and food-processing machinery design.
• Strong leadership track record in a high-pace, quality-driven engineering and manufacturing environment.
• Commercially astute with strong financial awareness across production costs, budgets and operational performance.
• A confident, empathetic leader who balances strategic vision with operational execution.
• Excellent communicator who thrives in technical environments and enjoys engaging with clients and stakeholders at all levels.