Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, driving performance and improvement.
- Company: Join a dynamic SME in Derby focused on manufacturing and MRO.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping operational strategy and fostering a high-performance team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in SME manufacturing, strong MRP/ERP experience, and excellent people skills required.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in a customer-driven, multi-process environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Derby
Sector: Manufacturing / MRO
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Are you a hands-on Operations Director with a passion for driving operational excellence in a fast-moving SME manufacturing environment? We’re looking for an exceptional leader to join our Derby-based team, operating in the Manufacturing and MRO sector.
About the Role:
Reporting directly to the MD, you’ll lead all aspects of operations across a complex, multi-process manufacturing environment. From supply chain to production, planning to logistics, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of a growing business. This role needs a mix of strategic thinking and operational "boots on the ground" leadership — someone who can balance data-driven decision making with strong people skills.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop the Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams
- Drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost
- Optimise planning and scheduling processes using MRP systems
- Strengthen supply chain resilience and supplier performance
- Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead cross-functional problem solving using data and root cause analysis
- Foster a positive, high-performance culture built on trust, accountability, and development
About You:
- Proven Operations leadership in SME manufacturing (MRO sector desirable)
- Strong MRP / ERP systems experience
- Excellent supply chain knowledge across sourcing, procurement & planning
- Analytical mindset with a passion for process improvement
- High emotional intelligence with exceptional people leadership skills
- Lean/CI toolkit knowledge and hands-on experience
- Comfortable in a multi-process, customer-driven environment
- Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-focused
Why Join Us?
- Dynamic SME culture – ability to make real impact
- Collaborative leadership team
- Opportunity to shape operational strategy
If you’re ready to lead from the front, drive change, and develop people while delivering operational excellence — we’d love to hear from you.
Operations Director employer: 1492 Ltd
Contact Detail:
1492 Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the manufacturing and MRO sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights about the company and its culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in operational excellence and lean manufacturing. Being knowledgeable about current best practices will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven operational performance in previous roles. Highlight your achievements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost management to showcase your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's products and services. Understanding their offerings will allow you to tailor your conversations and show how your experience aligns with their operational needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in operations leadership, particularly in SME manufacturing. Emphasise your achievements in driving operational performance and any relevant MRP/ERP systems experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for operational excellence and how your hands-on leadership style aligns with the company's needs. Mention specific examples of how you've improved processes or led teams in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills related to supply chain management, Lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives. Use bullet points for clarity and ensure they match the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Demonstrate your people leadership skills by providing examples of how you've fostered a positive culture and developed teams in past positions. This will resonate well with the company's emphasis on trust and accountability.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1492 Ltd
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Director, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you lead teams, foster a positive culture, and drive performance. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your approach.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Highlight your analytical mindset by discussing how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles. Be ready to provide examples of how you've implemented process improvements or optimised operations using MRP systems.
✨Emphasise Your Experience in Lean Manufacturing
Since the role requires knowledge of Lean manufacturing, be sure to talk about your hands-on experience with Lean principles. Share specific initiatives you've led that resulted in operational efficiencies or cost savings.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about challenges you've faced in multi-process environments and how you approached them. This will demonstrate your resilience and solutions-focused mindset.
