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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and drive transformation across multiple sites in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company ready for change and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy, career progression, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a business while advancing your personal goals in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background with proven leadership in operational transformation required.
- Other info: Ideal for those motivated by results and long-term impact.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for a bold, strategic, and hands-on Operations Director who sees challenge as opportunity. Based in Bedfordshire, this is your chance to be at the helm of a major operational and cultural transformation, and if done successfully it will position yourself for a future step up to a multi-site Managing Director position. This is not a role for the faint-hearted. It is for someone who thrives on solving complex problems, breaking silos, and building high-performing teams. You will be the driving force behind streamlining operations, embedding lean thinking, and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. But just as importantly, you will bring the commercial sharpness to steer the wider business toward growth, profitability, and long-term success.
What you will be taking on as the Operations Director:
- Leading operations across multiple manufacturing, servicing, or engineering-based sites.
- Designing and delivering a clear transformation strategy; from processes to people.
- Championing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to eliminate waste and maximise performance.
- Working closely with commercial, finance, and technical teams to align operational goals with business objectives.
- Building a culture that is engaged, agile, and a high-performance environment.
- Playing a central role in shaping the company’s strategic direction, with the future of the MD role in sight.
What we are looking for:
- A seasoned operations leader with a strong engineering background, ideally from a manufacturing or engineering services and repairs background.
- Proven experience leading operational and cultural transformation in a demanding environment.
- Expertise in continuous improvement; Lean, Six Sigma, or similar.
- Commercially minded, with a strong grasp of business performance levers and customer expectations.
- Strategic mindset, with the capability to spot and deliver new commercial opportunities.
- Comfortable leading at scale, across functions and locations.
- Motivated by results, ownership, and long-term impact.
- Financially astute, with previous experience managing budgets and P&L.
This is a great opportunity for an Operations Director to lead with real autonomy, drive meaningful and lasting change, and be recognised and rewarded for their impact. You will be joining a business that not only welcomes fresh thinking and is ready for transformation but also offers a clear and supportive path for career progression. If you are looking for the chance to shape the future of a business while advancing your own personal goals, then this could be the role for you.
Operations Director employer: iO Associates - UK/EU
Contact Detail:
iO Associates - UK/EU Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, as these are crucial for the role. Consider obtaining certifications or attending workshops to demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within operations management.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led operational transformations in the past. Be ready to share measurable outcomes that highlight your ability to drive change and improve performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's company culture and values. Understanding our mission and how we approach operational excellence will help you align your vision with ours during discussions.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in operations leadership, particularly in manufacturing or engineering services. Emphasise your achievements in transformation and continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for operational excellence and cultural transformation. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams and driven change.
Showcase Strategic Thinking: When detailing your experience, focus on instances where you've identified new commercial opportunities or aligned operational goals with business objectives. This will show that you have the strategic mindset they are looking for.
Highlight Financial Acumen: Since the role requires financial astuteness, include any relevant experience managing budgets and P&L. This will help convey your understanding of business performance levers and customer expectations.
How to prepare for a job interview at iO Associates - UK/EU
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences where you successfully identified and implemented strategic opportunities. Highlight specific examples of how your strategic thinking led to operational improvements or growth in past roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
Be ready to explain your approach to leading teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Share stories that illustrate how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Lean Methodologies
Since the role emphasises Lean and Six Sigma, brush up on these methodologies. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied them in previous positions to eliminate waste and enhance performance, providing concrete examples.
✨Align Operational Goals with Business Objectives
Think about how you've previously aligned operational strategies with broader business goals. Prepare to discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams, particularly in commercial and financial contexts, to drive success.
