Operations Director in Holywell, Wales

An established international manufacturer operating within highly regulated, precision-engineered markets is seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead one of its flagship UK manufacturing facilities. This is a genuine senior leadership opportunity with full responsibility for operational performance, commercial delivery and long-term strategic growth.

Reporting into the executive leadership team, you'll play a key role in shaping business performance while leading a multidisciplinary team across manufacturing, engineering, quality and supply chain. The business supplies complex engineered products into sectors where quality, precision and reliability are critical, operating across both UK and international markets.

The Role

You'll take ownership of the overall performance of the manufacturing site, ensuring the business consistently delivers against operational, commercial and financial objectives. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you'll develop and execute strategic plans, improve operational capability and create a culture centred around continuous improvement, accountability and customer excellence. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring someone equally comfortable on the shop floor, in customer meetings and presenting business performance at board level.

• Lead overall site performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.
• Hold full P&L responsibility, driving sustainable growth and profitability.
• Develop and implement operational strategy aligned with wider business objectives.
• Lead Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality functions.
• Work collaboratively with Finance, HR and Commercial teams to achieve business goals.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Establish meaningful KPIs and use data to improve productivity, quality and delivery performance.
• Develop customer relationships, ensuring exceptional service and delivery performance.
• Support new product introduction and manufacturing readiness.
• Lead capital investment planning and future capacity expansion.
• Develop leadership capability throughout the organisation through coaching and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant quality, regulatory and industry standards.

About You

You'll be an experienced operational leader who enjoys building high-performing teams whilst driving measurable business improvement. You'll combine strong commercial awareness with exceptional leadership skills and be capable of making strategic decisions that positively impact both customers and business performance.

Experience Required

• Degree qualified in Engineering or a related technical discipline (or equivalent industry experience).
• Significant experience leading complex manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrable P&L responsibility within an engineering or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to improve operational performance, profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across manufacturing, engineering, quality and supply chain.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to translate operational performance into financial results.
• Comfortable engaging with customers, suppliers and senior stakeholders.
• Experience working within regulated manufacturing sectors would be advantageous.

What's on Offer

• Executive leadership opportunity within a growing international engineering business.
• Significant autonomy and influence over operational strategy.
• Opportunity to shape the future direction of a well-invested manufacturing facility.
• Long-term career progression within a global organisation.
• Competitive executive salary and bonus package.
• Enhanced pension.
• Private healthcare.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Additional executive benefits.