Manufacturing Operations Director

Our client has grown to become one of the largest family-owned manufacturers of construction products in the UK and Ireland. The group encompasses leading brands across the steel, light & environmental and timber sectors and they are renowned for pioneering, innovating, and a dedicated attitude of ‘going through the wall’ for their customers. The group continues to grow at pace from their Derbyshire base, and they are now looking for an Operations Director for their masonry led brand.

This is an amazing opportunity for an established Operations Director with a manufacturing background to join this fantastic business and to directly manage a team of six. As Operations Director you will be responsible for overseeing and optimising all manufacturing, production, logistics, and operational processes within their steel manufacturing facilities to support operational growth. This role ensures the efficient, safe, and cost-effective production of steel products while maintaining strict quality standards and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

The Operations Director provides strategic leadership to plant operations, production planning, supply chain, maintenance, and quality teams. Manufacturing Operations Director – Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day operations across production, maintenance, logistics, and quality control.

- Ensure manufacturing processes meet output targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines.

- Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with corporate goals.

- Oversee fabrication, logistics Quality, Health and Safety operations.

- Optimize production schedules to maximise throughput and reduce bottlenecks.

- Implement methodologies to improve efficiency and reduce waste (Lean, Six Sigma, and TPM).

- Ensure the timely and efficient implementation of product innovations
- Promote a strong safety culture and lead incident investigations as needed.

- Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and sustainability requirements.

- Collaborate with QA lead to meet product specifications and quality benchmarks.

- Maintain ISO and other relevant certifications and relevant certifications across all sites.

- Oversee operational budgets, cost controls, and capital expenditure planning.

- Improve operational cost efficiency through procurement, waste reduction, and productivity initiatives.

- Oversee workforce planning, training programs, and leadership development.

- Collaborate closely with procurement teams to secure raw materials such as Steel, Fixings and consumables.

- Optimise inventory levels, warehousing operations, and outbound logistics to support uninterrupted production.

- Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships, negotiating performance expectations and ensuring reliability.

- Oversee logistics operations to ensure timely, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of finished products Manufacturing Operations Director – Required Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (desirable, although not essential) - Significant experience in manufacturing or heavy industrial operations, preferably steel/metallurgy, manufacturing, or related field.

- Senior leadership or plant management director experience, with line management accountability.

- Strong background in metal fabrication operations is highly preferred.

- Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence programs.

- Strong knowledge of steel manufacturing processes.

- Proven ability to manage complex industrial operations and strategic planning skills.

- Works independently, decisive, strong judgement, problem solver
- Proficiency with ERP/MES systems (Navision / Business Central).

- Flexibility to travel throughout the UK, ROI internationally on occasions.

This role offers the opportunity for a…