Operational Lead - Projects

£50,000 to £55,000 per year, An excellent salary + benefit package

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Disability Confident: No

Closing Date: 19/06/2026

Location: Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales – Onsite, Starting August 2026

Role Information:
Operational Lead

The role is responsible for coordinating, planning, and delivering operational projects that improve production efficiency, optimise capacity, and ensure production output is optimised to support business requirements.

Acting as a bridge between production, engineering, PMO and support functions, the Operations Lead ensures operational initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with business objectives.

• Managing specific day‑to‑day production operations to ensure output targets, quality standards and delivery schedules are met
• Managing production workflows, resources, and capacity across shifts and lines
• Implementing operational strategies aligned with business goals
• Coordinating cross‑functional teams including Production, Engineering, QHSE, and Supply Chain to ensure successful delivery
• Developing project plans, defining objectives, allocating resources & tracking progress against timelines
• Identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies, escalating issues as required
• Supporting improvements and standardisation initiatives across production programmes
• Monitoring and reporting on project KPIs, ensuring data‑driven insights inform decision‑making
• Assisting in resource planning and allocation to meet project and operational requirements
• Ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and Health & Safety regulations
• Facilitating effective communication and collaboration across teams
• Acting as point of escalation for any team/performance issues
• Supporting the Production Operations Manager with ad‑hoc operational analysis and project tasks

• Significant experience in a production/operations leadership role within a manufacturing or assembly environment
• Proven experience delivering operational or production‑based projects within a live production setting
• Experience working directly with shop floor teams (e.g., Assembly Line Supervisors, Team Leaders) to deliver output and performance targets
• Demonstrable experience managing production performance (output, efficiency, quality, downtime) alongside project delivery
• Strong understanding of production planning, line balancing, and capacity management
• Experience resolving operational issues such as bottlenecks, resource constraints, and process inefficiencies
• Track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives within production environments
• Experience working cross‑functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and PMO
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing/production operations, including assembly processes, line management, and performance metrics
• Ability to operate effectively within a live production environment while delivering project outcomes
• Understanding of production planning, scheduling, and capacity optimisation
• Experience using production/ERP/MRP systems to manage workflows and resources
• Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret production KPIs and drive improvement actions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project (or similar planning tools)
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies (desirable)
• Understanding of Health & Safety and quality standards within manufacturing environments
• Relevant qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or equivalent experience (desirable)
• Additional local needs:
  Onsite role;
  Eligibility for SC (Security Clearance)

• Opportunity to develop operational leadership and project management capabilities within a production environment
• Exposure to multi‑programme delivery and strategic operational initiatives
• Potential progression to Production Operations Manager or other senior operational leadership roles