Operations Director

Job Description:

Director of Operations  Manufacturing (Injection Moulding & Extrusion)
Waterlooville
Manufacturing / Plastics Industry
Permanent | Senior Leadership Role

V3 Recruitment are working in partnership with our client based in Waterlooville who are looking to appoint an experienced Director of Operations to lead the setup, scale-up, and ongoing performance of a brand new, high-volume manufacturing facility.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader to play a pivotal role in building and developing a facility operating injection moulding machines and extrusion lines, while driving operational excellence, implementing robust systems, and developing a high-performing team.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director / CEO, the Director of Operations will take full responsibility for the operational performance of the manufacturing facility, including safety, production output, quality, delivery, cost control and continuous improvement.

A key part of the role will involve implementing and managing the RIDDER ERP system, while also leading the facility through the implementation and successful certification of ISO 9001.

You will oversee a team including Production Managers, Engineering Manager, Quality Manager and Supply Chain, ensuring smooth, efficient and scalable operations as the business continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the full operational setup and commissioning of the new manufacturing facility
Manage daily production operations across injection moulding and extrusion lines
Develop and deliver operational strategy aligned with business growth plans
Drive performance improvements across key KPIs including OEE, scrap rates, yield, uptime and on-time delivery
Act as operational owner of the RIDDER ERP system, ensuring accurate use across the facility
Lead the implementation and certification process for ISO 9001, working closely with the Quality Manager
Optimise production processes including cycle times, tooling, materials and maintenance planning
Champion a strong health & safety culture and ensure full regulatory compliance
Work closely with Supply Chain and Planning teams to align production schedules and materials availability
Build, lead and develop a high-performing operations team
Implement Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce costs
Skills & Experience Required

Proven senior leadership experience within high-volume manufacturing environments
Strong background in plastics manufacturing, injection moulding or extrusion (highly desirable)
Demonstrated experience launching or scaling manufacturing facilities
Strong understanding of ERP systems, ideally RIDDER
Proven track record of improving operational KPIs through data-driven decision making
Experience leading or supporting ISO 9001 implementation
Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost drivers and optimisation strategies
Experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary operational teams
Personal Attributes

Strong operational and strategic mindset
Hands-on and visible leadership style
Analytical and highly process-driven approach
Excellent communication skills across all levels of the business
Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving environment
Commercially aware with strong decision-making capability
Key Measures of Success

Successful commissioning and ramp-up of the new facility
Achieving ISO 9001 certification within the planned timeframe
Effective implementation and full adoption of RIDDER ERP
Measurable improvements across OEE, scrap, uptime and delivery performance
Development of a stable, high-performing operations team
Safe, compliant and efficient day-to-day manufacturing operations
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location:

In person