Operations Manager - Bedford

Operations Manager - Bedford

Date: 2026-09-19T00:00:00

Location: Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, GB, MK17 9

Contact: Any

Application Deadline: 2026-10-20T05:04:03.84

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

What you will be part: Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures, and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden with major operations worldwide and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

The Role

This role is part of our BlueBear Business in Bedfordshire. The Operations Manager will work across the organisation providing governance, compliance, trials, and business coordination support. Process improvement and performance tracking coupled with customer feedback capture to continuously improve BlueBear operations and integration with Saab UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement across the organisation to achieve high standards.
• Be the focal point for process standardisation and compliance with the organisation's quality management system.
• Be the focal point to Saab UK functions for critical compliance areas including export control, health & safety, and security.
• Develop and track KPIs to support the delivery of the organisation's Strategic Business Plan.
• Implement processes for capturing customer feedback, communicate success, and track change where required.
• Communicate Operational Excellence throughout the organisation.
• Coordinate all internal and external audit activity.
• Act as Risk and Opportunity Co-ordinator and lead all business continuity management activities.
• Coordinate compliance activities such as export control ensuring sufficient resources and processes are in place.
• Coordinate the implementation of new compliance standards and business support tools.
• Capture and track internal feedback on processes to drive continuous improvements.
• Deliver internal training on continuous improvement / operational excellence where required.
• Champion information management within BlueBear.
• Support internal project activity where required and manage the activities of the Facility Coordinator.

Qualifications and Skills

• Proven leadership skills, ability to drive change in the organisation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated self-starter who requires minimal supervision.
• Demonstratable experience of implementing effective change in an organisation.
• Proven experience managing risks and implementing risk management policies, including business continuity plans.
• Experience with implementation of Quality Management Systems and compliance with ISO 9001.
• Experience with ISO 27001 desirable.
• Awareness of critical compliance areas including UK export control, health & safety, and environmental management desirable.
• Experience with defence industry and UK MOD desirable.
• As a National Security Vetting clearance is required for this role, applicants will need to hold National Security Vetting clearance to SC level or have the ability to gain it.
• By submitting an application to Saab UK, you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights, and in all circumstances, preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.