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- Tasks: Lead and optimise operations in manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, and despatch.
- Company: A dynamic manufacturing and distribution business with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Join a close-knit team focused on care, consistency, and results.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing company and shape operational standards.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing or distribution, strong leadership, and planning skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your new company is a growing and well-regarded manufacturing and distribution business supplying bespoke, retail ready products to ambitious direct-to-consumer brands across the UK and EU. Owner led and proudly hands on, the business has built a strong reputation for flexibility, reliability and doing things properly. Recent growth has been fuelled by repeat customers, increasing order volumes and investment in people and structure, creating a genuinely exciting phase of development as the business builds a leadership team capable of supporting sustainable scale and long term success.
As Operations Manager, you will take end to end responsibility for planning, leading and delivering operational performance across manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and despatch. This is a senior, visible role where you will be trusted to own outcomes rather than simply oversee activity. You will translate customer demand into achievable plans, ensure materials and capacity are aligned, and bring consistency and clarity to day to day operations. The role is deliberately hands on, with time spent on the factory floor alongside the team, while also establishing more structured ways of working that support continued growth. Your leadership will be pivotal in moving the operation from reactive to proactive, enabling the business to build on its recent successes.
To succeed, you will have proven experience within a manufacturing or distribution environment, ideally within a similarly regulated setting. You will be comfortable taking ownership, making decisions and being accountable for delivery, while remaining practical and prepared to step in wherever needed. A natural self starter, you will bring a planning led mindset, confidence in working with small teams and the ability to balance detail with the bigger picture. Most importantly, you will share the organisation's values around care, consistency and doing things right, contributing positively to a close-knit, results-driven culture.
In return, you will join a business with genuine momentum, where strong leadership is encouraged and your contribution will clearly influence performance and future growth. You will be trusted with real authority alongside responsibility, with the opportunity to shape operational standards and ways of working as the company continues to scale. The role offers a competitive salary in the range of £50,000-£60,000 per annum, depending on experience, alongside attractive, employee-friendly working hours of 8:00-4:30 Monday to Thursday and an early finish of 8:00-2:00 on a Friday. For the right individual, there is clear scope for longer term progression into broader operational or senior leadership roles within a stable, owner-led organisation that values commitment and delivery.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Operations Manager in Newtownards employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Newtownards
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values around care and consistency, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! In your conversations, highlight times when you’ve taken ownership of projects or led teams in a manufacturing or distribution setting. This will demonstrate that you’re ready to step in and make an impact from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining a company that values commitment and delivery.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Newtownards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing or distribution, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills and ability to take ownership of outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention how your values align with the company’s focus on care, consistency, and doing things right.
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience: Since this role is hands-on, be sure to include examples of when you've been on the factory floor or involved in day-to-day operations. This will show us that you’re not just about planning but also about getting stuck in!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the best chance to showcase your skills and experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research the company thoroughly. Understand their products, values, and recent developments. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Demonstrate Your Hands-On Approach
Since the role is hands-on, be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've taken initiative on the factory floor or in operational settings. Highlight how your proactive approach has led to improvements in efficiency or team performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Manager, your leadership will be key. Be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you motivate teams. Share stories that illustrate your ability to balance detail with the bigger picture while fostering a results-driven culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of situations where you've had to translate customer demand into actionable plans and how you ensured alignment of materials and capacity. Practising these scenarios can give you a real edge.