At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations across manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Established brand with a strong heritage, entering a growth and transformation phase.
- Benefits: Executive package with real influence and the chance to shape the future.
- Other info: Opportunity to build capability and support meaningful business scaling.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by driving performance and improving operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading large teams in regulated manufacturing environments.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Operations Director | London (On site) | Executive Package
Big remit, real influence, and a business that actually needs you to make things better, not just keep things ticking over.
The Role
This is not a steady state operations role.
It is a hands on, sleeves rolled up leadership position in a business going through change. The focus is moving from being reactive to becoming more structured, scalable, and commercially sharp.
You will be stepping into a complex setup with in house manufacturing, external partners, global logistics, and customer care, all within a regulated environment. There is a lot going on, and priorities have not always been clear.
That is where you come in.
You will bring order, set direction, and help the business scale properly, without losing sight of quality, compliance, or the customer.
What You Will Be Doing
- Owning end to end operations across manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and customer care
- Leading multiple production sites while aligning a network of third party manufacturers and CDMOs
- Setting a clear operations strategy that actually sticks, not something that changes every week
- Bringing structure and focus to a fast moving, sometimes ambiguous environment
- Driving performance across key metrics including cost, quality, service, safety, and delivery
- Improving how things run day to day, including planning, scheduling, materials, and output
- Leading engineering and maintenance to keep assets reliable and production flowing
- Working closely with suppliers to ensure materials are available, compliant, and on time
- Owning compliance across a highly regulated environment including GMP, ISO, MHRA and FDA standards
- Leading continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, automation, and digitalisation
- Managing budgets, capital expenditure, and operational costs with a commercial mindset
- Building, developing, and where needed reshaping teams to get the right people in the right roles
- Acting as a key voice at leadership level and helping steer the wider business
What You Will Need
- A background leading sizeable operations with more than 100 people in a manufacturing environment
- Experience in GMP/FDA/MHRA regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer healthcare or similar
- A solid understanding of both in house production and external manufacturing networks
- The ability to prioritise properly by deciding what matters and sticking to itCalm and clear thinking under pressure
- Strong commercial judgement, not just a focus on operational efficiency
- A track record of improving performance rather than simply maintaining it
- Confidence making decisions without perfect information
- A practical mindset and the ability to move between strategy and day to day operations
- Enough resilience to handle pace, ambiguity, and competing demands
About the Business
- Long established and well respected brand with a strong heritage
- Operating in a regulated, product led environment
- Global footprint with both internal manufacturing and external partners
- Now entering a genuine growth and transformation phase
This is not a finished article, and that is the point. There is real opportunity here to shape how things work, build capability, and support a business that wants to scale meaningfully over the next few years.
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Operations Director employer: Harris Lord
As an Operations Director at our London-based company, you will join a long-established and respected brand that is currently undergoing significant growth and transformation. We offer a dynamic work culture where your leadership will directly influence the operational strategy and drive meaningful change across manufacturing and logistics. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to quality and compliance, we provide a unique opportunity for you to shape the future of our operations while enjoying a competitive executive package.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Harris Lord, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Harris Lord specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Lord
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Harris Lord, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Harris Lord value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
