At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational improvements, manage inventory, and implement AI-driven systems.
- Company: Fast-growing manufacturer of handcrafted motorbike exhausts in Brackley.
- Benefits: Direct access to founders, external support, and fast-track career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with hands-on responsibilities and significant influence on business development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building operational infrastructure from the ground up.
- Qualifications: STEM degree or analytical background, 2-4 years in operations, and AI fluency.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About us
We're a fast-growing specialist manufacturer based in Brackley, with a strong turnover, growing at 50% year on year and strong margins. We build handcrafted exhausts for motorbikes using high grade materials. We're a small, skilled team that makes high-quality things and we're now at the point where we need to build the operational infrastructure to match our ambition.
We work with external operations consultants who provide strategic insight and project support. This role is the person who makes that strategy real, on the ground, every day.
The role
This is a role for someone early in their career who is sharper than average, process-obsessed, and genuinely excited by systems and efficiency. You don't need a traditional manufacturing background, in fact we'd rather you didn't have one. What we need is someone analytical enough to spot problems, structured enough to fix them, and tech-savvy enough to build systems that stop them happening again.
A significant part of how we expect this role to operate is through intelligent use of AI tools. Not awareness of AI - actual, daily, practical use. If you're the kind of person who has already built workflows, automations, or solutions using AI tools and can't imagine working without them, this role was written for you.
You'll be hands-on from day one. That means managing inventory and shipping alongside implementing an ERP system and driving the efficiency improvement programme we've already started with our external consultants. The role will grow quickly as we do.
- What you'll own
- Inventory management and stock control - reorder points, supplier relationships, and purchase orders, with AI-assisted monitoring and alerting where possible
- Shipping and dispatch oversight - accuracy, lead time adherence, and carrier management
- Production planning - working with the workshop team to schedule jobs and maintain our 6-week lead time promise
- ERP implementation - leading the setup and embedding of an ERP across the business, and using AI tools to accelerate and improve the process
- Ongoing process improvement - identifying and implementing efficiency gains, working alongside our operations consultants, and using AI to surface insights from our operational data
- People coordination - overseeing manufacturing staff and ensuring unskilled work stays off skilled hands
What we're looking for
- A STEM degree or equivalent analytical background - we care about how you think, not where you studied
- 2-4 years of experience in an operational, analytical, or project-based role - enough to have made real mistakes and learned from them, not so much that you've picked up bad habits
- Genuine, demonstrable AI fluency - you use AI tools daily, you've built something with them, and you can give us specific examples; building a workflow, automating a process, or using AI to analyse data and drive a decision
- Comfort picking up new software independently - you don't wait for training, you figure it out
- Process-minded by nature - you instinctively document, systematise, and improve rather than just doing
- Comfortable with ambiguity - we're building the plane while flying it and you need to be energised by that, not unsettled
- Enough presence and confidence to work effectively with workshop floor staff as well as founders and external consultants
Backgrounds we'd find interesting
We're deliberately not prescribing a specific background. People who've thrived in roles like this have come from supply chain analysis, logistics operations, management consulting, fast-growing SMEs, or technical project management. If your background is different but you recognise yourself in this description, apply anyway.
This is not a desk job or a reporting role. You'll be on the floor regularly, doing unglamorous things alongside the strategic ones. It's also not a role for someone who needs a clear playbook handed to them - a significant part of the job is writing the playbook.
What we offer
- A genuinely high-performing business - strong margins, fast growth, and financial stability
- Direct access to founders and genuine influence over how the business develops
- External consultant support so you're not navigating the strategic piece alone
- The opportunity to build an operational function largely from scratch, at a stage where what you do genuinely matters
- A fast track to a senior ops role as the business scales - we're looking for someone who grows with us
Operations Manager in Northampton employer: Hitchcox Motorcycles
As a fast-growing specialist manufacturer based in Brackley, we pride ourselves on our high-performance culture and commitment to quality. Our small, skilled team is dedicated to crafting exceptional products, and we offer a unique opportunity for an Operations Manager to shape our operational infrastructure while leveraging cutting-edge AI tools. With direct access to founders and a clear path for career advancement, this role is perfect for those eager to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Operations Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your AI skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, make sure to highlight how you've used AI tools in your previous roles. This is a big deal for us, and we want to see your practical experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. In interviews, be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you tackled them. We love a good story about turning a mess into a success!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and being part of our exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Analytical Side:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your analytical skills. We want to see how you think and solve problems, so share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past.
Demonstrate Your AI Fluency:Since we’re all about using AI tools, don’t hold back on showcasing your experience with them. Tell us about workflows or automations you've built and how they’ve made a difference in your previous roles.
Be Process-Minded:We love a good process! In your application, mention any systems or processes you've created or improved. Show us that you’re not just about getting things done, but about doing them efficiently.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to get your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitchcox Motorcycles
✨Know Your AI Tools
Make sure you can talk about your experience with AI tools in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used them to build workflows or automate processes. This role is all about practical use, so show them you're not just aware of AI but actively using it.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've approached problem-solving in previous roles. Think of situations where you identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions. They want someone who can spot issues and fix them, so come armed with examples that highlight your analytical mindset.
✨Embrace the Hands-On Approach
This isn't a desk job, so be ready to talk about your willingness to get stuck in. Share experiences where you've worked directly on the floor or been involved in the nitty-gritty of operations. Show them you're excited about being hands-on and making a real impact from day one.
✨Be Process-Minded
They’re looking for someone who naturally documents and improves processes. Prepare to discuss how you've systematised tasks in the past. Bring examples of how you've created efficiencies or improved workflows, as this will resonate well with their need for a process-obsessed candidate.
