Operations Manager

Position Summary:

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and optimising all day\-to\-day activities at the Sittingbourne site. This role ensures strong performance in cost, quality, delivery, and productivity while building the operational capability needed to support future growth. With a focus on continuous improvement and lean principles, the Operations Manager drives efficiency, strengthens processes, and ensures the site consistently exceeds customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily site operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance across all departments.


• Deliver operational targets in quality, cost, delivery, and productivity through effective planning and execution.


• Develop and lead a high\-performing operations team, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance management.


• Strengthen operational infrastructure by improving processes, systems, and equipment to support growth and capacity expansion.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, embedding lean manufacturing principles and structured problem\-solving.


• Enhance process capability and efficiency through targeted improvement projects and data\-driven decision\-making.


• Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards.


• Collaborate with cross\-functional teams to support new product introduction and operational readiness.


• Monitor and report key performance metrics (KPI’s), identifying risks, opportunities, and improvement actions.


• Maintain and develop capacity planning.


• Maintain strong customer focus, ensuring operational performance consistently meets or exceeds expectations.

• Proven experience in an operations and manufacturing leadership role.


• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.


• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, build capability, and drive accountability.


• Experience managing quality, cost, and delivery performance in a fast\-paced environment.


• Strong problem\-solving skills with a data\-driven approach to decision\-making.


• Excellent communication and stakeholder\-management abilities.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel (data analysis, reporting, dashboards), Word, and PowerPoint.


• Experience with ERP/MRP systems for production planning, inventory control, and performance tracking.


• Strong data analysis capability, with the ability to interpret operational metrics and generate actionable insights.


• Competence with digital workflow and collaboration tools, such as SharePoint and Teams.


• Familiarity with quality and production management software to support process control and continuous improvement.


• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems, supporting ongoing digitalisation and operational technology upgrades.

• Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).


• Experience in sand foundry processes and casting would be an advantage.


• Proven ability to build and develop high\-performing teams through effective coaching, mentoring, and performance management.


• Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies is advantageous

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