Operations Manager in Luton

About Helapet Ltd

Helapet stands as a leading UK manufacturer and distributor of medical and cleanroom consumables.

Our range of sterile and non-sterile products are used to support healthcare provision and aseptic production within hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratories, and veterinary practice.

We are the part of Clinimed Holdings Limited, a group of companies established in 1982 through the acquisition and formation of various entities within the group.

Job Summary

Operations Manager , you will lead manufacturing, warehouse, supply chain and quality functions, driving operational excellence across the business.

Reporting to the Managing Director and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will support Helapet’s strategic growth and operational performance.

You will drive efficiency, quality, compliance and continuous improvement while ensuring a safe and effective site.

This is a hands-on leadership role focused on developing high-performing teams and delivering excellent customer service.

Benefits

• Contributory Pension Scheme (5% employer contribution, increasing to 10% with length of service)
• Medical Cash Back Plan (Simply Health)
• Life Assurance (4 x Annual Gross)
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Annual Pay Review
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Discounts on Selected Products and Services
• Employee Assistance Programme – Health
• 25 annual holiday days, plus 8 bank holidays and one company day
• Additional Holiday purchase scheme (purchase up to an additional 3-days per holiday year)

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of product manufacturing and sourcing costs to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinate delivery schedules with Sales Order Processing and update logs to accurately reflect stock status.
• Manage the procurement of manufacturing materials in alignment with the manufacturing plan, current inventory, and customer demand.
• Track and expedite any overdue manufacturing orders, effectively communicating potential delays to Sales and Manufacturing teams.
• Produce timely and accurate KPI reports, implementing corrective actions for any identified deficiencies.
• Utilize Lean Six Sigma and 5S methodologies to drive continuous process improvements.

Maintain and enhance quality systems by conducting internal and external audits to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Ensure all Quality and Regulatory standards are upheld, keeping medical device certifications and registrations current.
• Develop and execute an internal audit schedule for ISO certification as needed, auditing all key and new suppliers.
• Enforce compliance with company policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and logistics controls.
• Oversee all logistics functions to ensure accuracy in goods in/out processes and comprehensive stock maintenance, including preservation, expiry management, and disposal proposals.
• Manage resource planning for materials and finished goods with a focus on supplier performance and auditing, as well as alternative sourcing and reorder levels.
• Assume responsibility for the Helapet Houghton Regis site, with a focus on Health and Safety.
• Lead and develop direct reports by identifying training needs, maintaining training records, and completing performance development reviews (PDRs) in a timely manner.
• Provide guidance to direct reports to ensure business objectives are met.
• Review and report on the progress of operational objectives and KPIs on a monthly basis.
• Contribute to the Senior Leadership Team’s efforts to develop and implement Helapet’s 3- to 5-year strategic plan.

Personal Specifications

Essential

• Mechanical, Production or Engineering qualification.
• NEBOSH/IOSH General Certificate or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or above.
• Proven senior operational leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading and developing teams, including performance management and training.
• Experience managing KPIs, budgets, costs and Health & Safety.
• Experience developing and implementing business strategies.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain and resource planning.
• Strong leadership, communication, organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead high-performing teams, manage multiple priorities and deliver business objectives.
• Ability to produce management reports and KPI information.
• Strategic, results-driven and committed to continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Experience in medical device, healthcare, pharmaceutical or other regulated manufacturing.
• Experience managing manufacturing, warehousing, quality and supply chain functions.
• Senior Leadership Team experience.
• Experience in supplier management, auditing and sourcing.
• Experience leading change and continuous improvement programmes.
• Knowledge of medical device regulations, ISO 13485 and Regulatory Affairs.
• Knowledge of advanced Lean and operational excellence methodologies.
• Project management and advanced data analysis skills.
• Experience using ERP or manufacturing planning systems.