Operations Director

Position: Operations Director (Permanent)
Location: Tunbridge Wells

Precision Machining & Assembly | UK Site Leadership
Full Operational P&L | Group Reporting | Strategic Influence
Up to £90,000 + Bonus + Comprehensive Package

Leading the Operational P&L within low to medium volume Manufacturing & Assembly

A multi-site engineering manufacturing group is seeking a high-impact Manufacturing based Operations Director to take full control of one of its key UK divisions.

This is a true business leadership role - not a just a functional operations post.

You will own the numbers, lead the site, report to Group and drive performance across a low-to-medium volume precision manufacturing and assembly environment.

The Mandate

Take control of a machining and assembly operation and deliver:

Operational stability and performance
Margin improvement and EBITDA growth
Clear, structured reporting into Group
Cultural accountability across the site

You will have full site P&L ownership and direct responsibility for aligning production output, cost control and strategic objectives.

Core Responsibilities

Commercial Ownership

Full operational P&L responsibility
Revenue, margin and EBITDA delivery
Budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
Labour productivity and overhead control
Driving sustainable profitability

Operational Control

Leadership of machining and assembly operations
OTIF, quality and safety performance
Capacity planning and workflow optimisation
Reducing downtime and increasing throughput
Embedding lean and continuous improvement disciplines

Group-Level Accountability

Monthly performance reporting to Group leadership
Financial and operational KPI analysis
Data-driven decision making
Input into strategic planning and capital investment

Leadership & Culture

Lead engineers, production and support teams
Build a high-performance, accountable culture
Develop succession and capability across the site
Drive continuous improvement at every level

What We're Looking For

Proven senior leadership experience in machining / CNC / precision assembly manufacturing
Demonstrable operational P&L ownership
Strong commercial acumen - understands margin, not just output
Experience reporting to Group, Board or corporate stakeholders
Track record of improving operational and financial performance
Engineering or Manufacturing degree preferred
Lean / Six Sigma exposure advantageous

This role offers :

Genuine business unit ownership
Strategic influence beyond the factory floor
Group visibility and senior stakeholder engagement
The platform to shape operational direction and drive measurable growth

It will suit either an ambitious Operations Manager / Director ready for full business accountability or an established Business Unit leader seeking broader strategic exposure within a group structure.

To apply in confidence and to initiate an informal discussion, please submit a fully CV online detailing your current remuneration package and availability quoting job reference 10293.

Desired Skills and Experience
Quality, Manufacturing, Operations, BUM, P&L, CI, Improvement, Lean, Machining, Assembly