At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing operations and drive performance in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join JCB, a leader in the manufacturing industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days holiday, onsite gym, and health services.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading teams and driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Engineering background with experience in high-volume manufacturing and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We're seeking a highly driven and experienced Operations Manager to lead manufacturing performance at our JCB Power Products site in Wrexham. This is a critical leadership role responsible for delivering safe, high-quality, and cost-effective production across a high-volume, fast-paced environment. As Operations Manager, you'll bring a strong leadership presence, technical expertise, and a results-driven mindset to drive operational excellence. You'll play a key role in shaping site performance, leading teams through change, and ensuring alignment with JCB’s wider operational strategy. This role requires someone who thrives under pressure, can challenge and influence at all levels, and has a proven track record in manufacturing, ideally within automotive, powertrain, or similar industries.
Responsibilities
- Leading day-to-day manufacturing and assembly operations to meet production and delivery targets
- Driving a strong safety-first culture across all shopfloor activities and ensuring full compliance with HSE and JCB standards
- Managing production planning, scheduling, and capacity to achieve on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery
- Identifying and removing operational bottlenecks to improve flow across machining, assembly, and test areas
- Owning product and process quality, reducing defects, rework, and warranty issues
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies such as 5S, Kaizen, and standard work
- Leading root cause analysis (RCA) and implementing corrective actions for internal and supplier-related issues
- Working closely with procurement and suppliers to ensure material availability and component quality, while managing supplier performance and risk
- Delivering cost reduction initiatives, improving labour efficiency, reducing waste and scrap, and managing operational budgets
- Leading, coaching, and developing front-line leaders and operators to build a high-performance, accountable culture
- Ensuring strong equipment reliability through TPM and effective maintenance planning
- Supporting new product introductions, ensuring smooth transition into full-scale production
- Acting as a key interface across manufacturing, engineering, quality, and commercial teams
- Monitoring and reporting on key KPIs including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP)
- Leading daily and weekly operational reviews and ensuring follow-through on actions
- Contributing to longer-term operational strategy and driving transformation initiatives such as automation and digitalisation
Qualifications
- You're an engineering-qualified professional with strong technical and operational knowledge
- You have Lean / Six Sigma training and a passion for continuous improvement
- You have significant experience in high-volume manufacturing (ideally automotive, powertrain, or similar sectors)
- You're a proven leader and change agent with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams
- You demonstrate strong leadership presence, accountability, and resilience in demanding production environments
- You're results-driven, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of performance outcomes
- You can confidently challenge, influence, and collaborate with internal stakeholders and external suppliers
- You communicate effectively at all levels, from shopfloor to executive leadership
- You're experienced in managing quality issues, supplier performance, and cost pressures
- You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can balance competing priorities with confidence
Benefits
This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.
EEO Statement
We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Recruitment Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@jcb.com, and a member of the team will be in touch.
Operations Manager employer: JCB
At JCB, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Wrexham site where innovation meets operational excellence. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and access to onsite facilities such as a gym and healthcare services. We foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development, empowering our Operations Managers to lead high-performing teams while driving meaningful change in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an Operations Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand JCB’s operational strategies 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 leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've driven change and improved processes in previous roles. Highlighting your results-driven mindset will resonate well with hiring managers looking for an Operations Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the JCB team and are proactive about your job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in high-volume manufacturing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for what we do at JCB.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve driven operational excellence and improved processes. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at JCB
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to manufacturing and operations management. Be ready to discuss Lean methodologies like 5S and Kaizen, as well as your experience in high-volume environments. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the nitty-gritty of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through change and improved performance in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you inspired your team or tackled operational challenges. This will help demonstrate your leadership presence and ability to drive results.
✨Emphasise Safety and Quality
Since this role is all about delivering safe and high-quality production, be ready to discuss how you've fostered a safety-first culture in past positions. Share any experiences where you’ve successfully managed quality issues or implemented corrective actions to improve processes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about JCB’s operational strategy and how they approach continuous improvement. This shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you understand how you can contribute to their goals. Plus, it gives you a chance to assess if the company aligns with your values.
