Lead Manufacturing Excellence. We are seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to join our senior leadership team and play a pivotal role in driving the next phase of our growth. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this is a high-impact leadership position with full responsibility for the end-to-end manufacturing and operational performance of the business. You will lead all operational functions including production planning, fabrication, manufacturing, quality, yard operations, dispatch, logistics, and material flow, ensuring the business delivers safely, efficiently, profitably, and at scale. This role offers a unique opportunity for a commercially-minded operational leader to influence strategy, optimise performance, develop high-performing teams, and help build a world-class manufacturing operation capable of supporting ambitious growth plans. As Head of Operations, you will provide both strategic direction and operational leadership across the manufacturing function. You will be responsible for ensuring operational capability, capacity, productivity, quality, and delivery performance remain aligned with customer commitments and long-term business objectives. Operational Leadership & Manufacturing Performance Lead all manufacturing and operational activities across production, fabrication, assembly, yard operations, dispatch, logistics, planning, and materials management. Ensure safe, efficient, and effective manufacturing performance against quality, delivery, productivity, and financial targets. Create a high-performance culture built on accountability, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Drive operational visibility, governance, and performance management across the business. Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth and long-term scalability. Lead capacity planning across labour, materials, equipment, and facilities to meet future demand. Support investment decisions relating to plant, automation, technology, facilities, and operational infrastructure. Production Planning & Delivery Excellence Drive operational performance through robust planning, scheduling, and KPI management. Champion OTIF (On Time In Full) delivery performance across all operations. Lead structured performance reviews and ensure rapid resolution of operational issues. Embed a culture of operational excellence through data-driven decision making and process improvement. Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost performance. Drive workforce planning, engagement, and talent development initiatives. Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, and high performance. Financial & Commercial Performance Manage operational performance against labour budgets, productivity targets, and manufacturing costs. Drive efficiencies that improve profitability and margin performance. Support commercial teams with operational planning, risk management, and manufacturing capability assessments. Contribute to business cases, capital investment planning, and growth initiatives. Health, Safety, Environment & Quality Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental, and quality standards. Partner with HSE and Quality teams to reduce operational risk and improve process control. Lead operational readiness for audits and compliance requirements. Significant senior leadership experience as a Head of Operations, Operations Director, or equivalent. Strong background within steel fabrication, engineering, industrial manufacturing, or similarly complex production environments. Demonstrated success leading operational transformation, business growth, and performance improvement initiatives. Expertise in manufacturing operations, production planning, capacity management, workforce planning, and operational delivery. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to improve profitability, productivity, and customer performance. Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and data-driven operational management. You will have the platform to shape operational strategy, influence business performance, develop talented teams, and play a key role in delivering our long-term growth ambitions. If you are an ambitious operational leader looking to make a significant impact within a dynamic manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you.
