An established and highly respected engineering manufacturer is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead a critical forging operation within a fast-paced, heavy engineering environment.
This is a senior leadership opportunity where you'll take full ownership of performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
🚀 The Opportunity
You'll be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of a complex forging operation, ensuring production targets are met while continuously improving processes, performance, and team capability.
Working closely with senior leadership, you'll play a key role in shaping strategy, improving efficiencies, and delivering world-class manufacturing performance.
🔑 Key Responsibilities
- Lead and embed a proactive Health & Safety culture, driving compliance and accountability
- Deliver against production plans, KPIs, and customer delivery targets
- Manage resource planning and scheduling to meet operational demands
- Drive quality improvements, ensuring right-first-time performance
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions across operational issues
- Control and improve cost performance, including waste and scrap reduction
- Champion continuous improvement (Lean, 6S, OEE, TPM)
- Develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure smooth operational delivery
- Work closely with maintenance to minimise downtime and improve asset performance
👥 Leadership & Culture
- Build and lead a culture of ownership, accountability, and teamwork
- Engage, motivate, and develop teams to achieve operational excellence
- Deliver clear and consistent communication across all levels
- Drive performance through strong leadership and structured development
🧠 About You
- Proven experience as an Operations Manager / Production Manager within heavy engineering or manufacturing
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams
- Experience with continuous improvement tools and methodologies
- Strong understanding of KPI management, cost control, and process optimisation
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and engineering data
- A proactive, hands-on leader with strong problem-solving ability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Engineering qualification preferred (or equivalent experience)
⏰ Working Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 4:15pm
- Friday: 8:00am - 3:00pm
🌟 Why Apply?
- Join a well-established and forward-thinking engineering business
- Take ownership of a key operational area with real influence
- Drive continuous improvement and make a tangible impact
- Enjoy a strong work-life balance with early Friday finishes
- Competitive salary and long-term career potential
If you're an experienced operations leader ready to take ownership of a high-impact manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
