Operations Director

We are the internal recruitment partner for our client, an established, internationally focused science and manufacturing SME, we are supporting them in their search for an ambitious and commercially minded Head of Operations.

With a strong reputation for scientific rigour, integrity and technical excellence, the business has an established international customer and supplier base and is entering an exciting period of continued growth.

This is a highly influential senior leadership position, offering the opportunity to shape the organisation’s financial performance, people strategy and operational effectiveness.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you’ll be a hands‑on generalist who can run the day‑to‑day business, taking ownership across finance, people, operations and administration. You’ll bring commercial insight, financial discipline and practical operational leadership, helping ensure the business runs smoothly while supporting sustainable growth.

This is not a traditional finance role. You’ll operate at both a strategic and hands‑on level, with responsibility spanning financial planning and reporting, cash management, international trade, R&D tax, HR, payroll, systems, facilities and operational processes.

You’ll work closely with the Managing Director, operational teams, Science and Engineering colleagues and a range of established external professional advisers.

We are seeking an experienced operational leader who combines strong commercial awareness with a practical, hands‑on approach. You should be a resourceful, low‑ego operator who picks up new tools, systems, and domains quickly.

You should be comfortable using tools (including AI) to get up to speed quickly in unfamiliar regulatory and technical areas and know when to bring in the right expertise.

You don't need to be a qualified accountant; however, strong financial literacy is essential for success in this role. You will be confident interpreting budgets, costs, cash flow, margins, operational performance metrics, and wider commercial data, using these insights to make informed decisions and understand the financial impact of operational activities.

We are looking for someone who can translate numbers into meaningful business actions, balancing operational priorities with commercial objectives to drive profitability, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

• You’ll drive day‑to‑day operational efficiency and process improvement, solving problems hands‑on and generally getting things done.
• Lead the company’s financial strategy, business planning and growth initiatives; provide commercial insight, analysis and KPI reporting; prepare budgets, forecasts and long‑term financial plans; supervise the Finance Manager; and oversee monthly management accounts and year‑end statutory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, tax and statutory requirements; manage cash flow, working capital and banking relationships; maintain strong financial controls, governance and internal procedures; liaise with auditors, accountants, insurers and professional advisers; and coordinate R&D tax credit claims, including identifying qualifying projects and costs, maintaining supporting documentation, ensuring compliance and monitoring available incentives and grants.
• Manage the financial aspects of international trading, including foreign currency exposure, import/export requirements, VAT and international tax compliance, supplier payments and customer terms; support inventory management, costing and margin analysis; and monitor profitability across products, customers and regions.
• Coordinate and organise company logistics, including procurement, subcontracting, distribution and…