Operations Director
Operations Director
Fixed Term Contract (12/18 Months)
Location: Cambridgeshire
Package: Circa £120k to £140k Benefits Bonus
Overview & Context
Following sustained growth, we seek an Operations Director to lead our Cambridge operations and shape the global operational strategy for our next phase of expansion. This role is central to a major transition: we are investing in a new manufacturing site and evolving our broader supply chain. Your primary mission is to deliver business continuity throughout the transition and closure of the current site, while building the operational framework for the future.
The Role
Reporting on business performance, you will have full accountability for the manufacturing site, production, quality, materials management, and supply chain to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery of equipment and projects. You will drive operational excellence by embedding Lean methodologies, modern manufacturing practices, and robust H&S standards across the site. You will also manage NPI transitions, optimise a complex inter-company supply chain, and lead subcontracting strategies. Given the ongoing contractual work, it is imperative that the site upholds its obligations without interruption.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct the strategic planning and comprehensive readiness for the operational migration, ensuring that production output remains consistently unaffected throughout the transition.
- Direct all manufacturing, materials, and logistics functions to meet production goals while strictly adhering to safety and quality standards.
- Manage supplier negotiations, inventory, and working capital to align with business and product requirements.
- As the principal site leader, you must remain visibly present and accessible, engaging proactively on business changes, retaining essential talent wherever possible, and offering guidance and support as needed.
- Set departmental KPIs, report on performance, and drive continuous improvement (Lean, 5S) across the site and wider operations.
- Work with engineering and project teams to manage NPI and ensure a smooth transition from development to full-scale production.
- Maintain the strategic direction of the site, ensuring technology activities convert into viable products while driving cost-reduction and quality-improvement initiatives.
- You are a hands-on, strategic operator with a proven track record in managing complex change within a manufacturing environment.
- Significant number of years in senior operations leadership within industrial equipment, engineering, or related sectors.
- Change Management - Demonstrated success in leading major transitions, such as site closures, new site startups, or large-scale system overhauls.
- You are an articulate and empathetic leader who connects meaningfully with staff during times of uncertainty and change. You demonstrate strategic agility in response to evolving workforce dynamics, while steadfastly supporting employees in securing clarity and stability for their futures.
- Strong financial and analytical capabilities with experience managing significant P&L, inventory, and cost-control targets.
- Deep understanding of modern manufacturing principles (Lean, 5S), quality control, supply chain logistics, and subcontracting/outsourcing.
- Proven experience working effectively within a multi-site, international organization, with the ability to travel as required.
- An action-oriented, visible leader who leads by example, with exceptional communication skills to act as a change agent across all levels of the business.
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