Manufacturing Operations Manager

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Mid Kent – drivers with own transport preferred due to location & start time

£60,000 - £65,000 + benefits + progression

7.30am-4pm Monday – Thursday, 7.30am – 1.30pm Friday

PLEASE NOTE, NO SPONSORSHIP IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS ROLE, SO PLEASE ONLY APPLY IF YOU HAVE THE PERMANENT RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK WITHOUT SPONSORSHIP.

This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager who enjoys making things better – better processes, better performance and, importantly, better teams.

We're working with an established manufacturing business going through an exciting period of investment and growth. They are looking for a strong operational leader to work closely with the General Manager and take ownership of the day-to-day manufacturing operation.

This isn't a role for someone who wants to manage from behind a desk. You'll be visible on the shop floor, close to your teams and genuinely influential in how the operation develops.

What you'll be doing

• Taking ownership of day-to-day manufacturing operations
• Leading, developing and getting the best from production teams
• Driving performance across quality, cost, delivery and productivity
• Identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement
• Improving processes, systems and ways of working as the business grows
• Driving continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives
• Using KPIs and operational data to understand performance and drive action
• Developing capacity plans to support changing production requirements
• Ensuring consistently high standards of safety and quality
• Working closely with other departments to improve overall site performance
• Supporting the introduction of new products and processes
• Building greater accountability, structure and consistency across the operation

What we're looking for

• Strong experience leading operations within a manufacturing environment
• A proven people manager who can engage, coach and develop teams
• Good understanding of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Experience managing operational KPIs including quality, cost, delivery and productivity
• Commercially aware with a strong understanding of what drives manufacturing performance
• Confident analysing data and turning it into practical improvements
• Experience working with ERP/MRP or production planning systems
• Strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced industrial environment
• Able to challenge existing ways of working while bringing people with you

An engineering or manufacturing qualification would be useful, as would experience within a heavier industrial environment, but leadership ability, manufacturing knowledge and a track record of improving operations are more important.

Why would you want it?

• £60,000–£65,000 salary
• Senior, influential position working closely with the General Manager
• Growing business with continued investment
• Real scope to shape and improve the manufacturing operation
• Opportunity to make a visible impact rather than simply maintain what's already there
• Plenty of autonomy and ownership
• Genuine longer-term progression opportunities
• Close-knit business with a strong team culture
• Monday–Friday daytime hours
• 1:30pm finish every Friday

If you're a strong manufacturing leader who enjoys developing people, improving processes and driving operational performance, this could be a really exciting next step.

Pay: £60,000.00-£65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• Do you have the Right to Work in the UK without sponsorship on a permanent basis?
• Do you have experience overseeing manufacturing operations?

Work Location: In person