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- Tasks: Lead operational transformation and drive excellence in manufacturing processes.
- Company: Global manufacturing group with a strong family business culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of manufacturing and digital services.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in operations and a passion for innovation.
- Other info: Join a rapidly growing team with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Headquartered in Bristol, our client is a global manufacturing group, with a 2-site production powerhouse in the UK, producing quality, customised products, serving a global audience of clients via distribution centres in Europe and the US. Established as a family business and with more than five decades of manufacturing and technical expertise, our client combines in-house production with distribution and managed services to serve resellers, enterprise and government customers worldwide. Over 50 years of product and technical capability underpin its reputation for quality and reliability.
RECENT GROWTH
With strong family business roots, an exceptional culture, and a team of c.70 staff, our client has experienced high growth over the last 3 years and has excellent future prospects. Recent site content and corporate listings highlight the company's expansion of services beyond physical manufacture — notably into digital and turnkey services — signalling a deliberate move to broaden revenue streams and modernise customer offerings. These developments show momentum towards platform and services growth to meet changing market demands.
This role will be critical to translate that strategic momentum into operational capability: the new Operations Director will be asked not only to run day-to-day operations at our client's Bristol hub but to up-skill the Operations team in modern manufacturing practices, service delivery, and leadership — enabling the business to scale its hybrid physical/digital offering while maintaining the high standards that have defined the business for 50 years. We are looking for an inspirational and experienced Operations leader to develop the company to deliver consistent customer experience excellence.
LANDSCAPE
Our client has delivered c.40% top-line growth over the last 12 months, driven by strong demand across its core manufacturing base and the expansion of its digital services. This growth is underpinned by the securing of several significant long-term contracts, providing revenue visibility and stability over the medium term. To support this expansion our client has secured additional funding and invested more than £1M in new manufacturing machinery. This has expanded capacity, strengthened operational resilience, and enhanced capability across its UK production sites, enabling the business to accommodate increased volumes while maintaining consistently high quality and service standards.
THE OPPORTUNITY - OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, UK
The Operations Director is a passionate leader, who is commercially driven to maximise productivity whilst developing and maintaining lean methodology. The candidate will take full accountability for driving a culture of excellence in every area of the Operations team, covering Customer Service, Purchasing, Artwork and Production personnel. They will hold themselves personally accountable to the board for delivering the highest levels of OTIF, Quality and client NPS feedback. In addition, key quarterly company objectives, designed to move the company forward, are to be held accountable by this candidate with relentless enthusiasm to make the business continually more agile, lean and competitive.
Key accountabilities include:
- Personally lead an end-to-end operational transformation
- Set and embed world-class operational standards
- Build a stronger, more capable Operations leadership team
- Deliver rapid performance gains while building long-term capability
- Make operations a strategic enabler of growth and innovation
The candidate sought must be a natural leader that embodies a hungry, humble and smart ethos, and aligns to the corporate values of the business as well as the senior leadership team ways of operating and communicating. This role is 100% office based in Bristol.
Operations Director UK (Manufacturing) in London employer: Lansdown Partners Executive Search Ltd
Contact Detail:
Lansdown Partners Executive Search Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director UK (Manufacturing) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local manufacturing events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Operations Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their recent growth and how they’re expanding into digital services. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve driven operational excellence and transformed teams in the past. We need to see that you embody that hungry, humble, and smart ethos they’re after.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate leaders like you to join our client’s journey in Bristol.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director UK (Manufacturing) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing and leadership, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive operational excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our client’s culture and values. Share your passion for operational transformation and how you can contribute to their growth story.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to know about your leadership approach! In your application, give examples of how you've built strong teams and driven performance gains. This will help us see how you align with the ethos of being hungry, humble, and smart.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lansdown Partners Executive Search Ltd
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent developments. Understanding their shift towards digital services and how they maintain quality will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared to contribute to their growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Director, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in leading teams, implementing lean methodologies, and driving operational excellence. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've transformed operations in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle real-world challenges. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions or lead a team through change, especially in manufacturing or service delivery contexts.
✨Align with Their Values
The company values a 'hungry, humble, and smart' ethos. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss how you embody these traits in your professional life. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
