Operations Manager in Hingham, Norfolk

About the role

Reporting into the Director of Operations, this is a pivotal leadership opportunity to take overall operational ownership of Mirus’ manufacturing facility at a critical stage of growth.

As Operations Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the effective operation and development of the factory, encompassing Production, Warehouse and Manufacturing Engineering. You will lead and develop the management structure across these functions, ensuring they work together effectively to deliver safety, quality, cost, delivery and performance objectives.

The role will play a key part in scaling the business towards a high-volume aircraft interiors manufacturing environment. You will have the autonomy to shape and develop the operational organisation, implement lean methodologies, improve manufacturing capability, and drive a culture of continuous improvement.

We are looking for a hands-on, commercially aware and results-driven operational leader with experience in serial production manufacturing, ideally within aerospace, automotive or a similarly demanding regulated environment. You will be comfortable leading through growth and change, developing high-performing teams to deliver operational excellence.

YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBLITLIES

In your role as our Operations Manager, you will:

• Own overall operational performance of the manufacturing facility, ensuring the business consistently delivers safely, on time, to the required standards and in line with customer and business expectations.
• Provide leadership across Production, Warehouse and Manufacturing Engineering, establishing clear accountability, performance standards, KPIs and effective cross-functional working.
• Develop and implement the operational strategy required to support business growth, including the transition to a high-volume manufacturing environment and the alignment of people, capacity, equipment, facilities and processes with future demand.
• Drive a culture of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement across the operation, embedding SQCDP, visual management, 5S, structured problem solving and standardised processes to improve productivity, quality, delivery and efficiency.
• Support the leads in the operational management team, including Production, Warehouse and Manufacturing Engineering, ensuring appropriate structures, resources, capability and succession plans are in place to support current and future requirements.
• Ensure effective operational representation throughout NPI/NPD and engineering change programmes, supporting production readiness, capacity planning, manufacturing capability and successful product introduction.
• Maintain the highest standards of quality, compliance, health and safety and operational discipline, ensuring adherence to aerospace, customer, regulatory and company requirements and promoting a strong right-first-time culture.
• Manage operational budgets, resources and investment, ensuring commercially sound decisions and providing clear reporting on performance, capacity, risks, resource requirements and improvement opportunities.
• Work closely with the wider leadership team to shape and deliver the company’s manufacturing and operational strategy, providing insight and ensuring the organisation has the capability, capacity and infrastructure required for sustainable growth.

About you

To help Mirus continue its journey of growth, you will bring significant experience leading operations within a demanding manufacturing environment along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

• Demonstrable experience in a senior production or operations leadership role within a serial production manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing multiple operational functions, ideally including Production, Warehouse/Logistics and Manufacturing Engineering.
• Experience leading and developing management teams and larger operational workforces.
• Experience gained within aerospace, automotive, first-tier supply, or a similarly complex and regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience implementing and working within a Lean manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, capacity planning, material flow and operational performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex operational issues using structured methodologies.
• Experience managing departmental budgets and operational resources.
• Understanding of ERP, MRP systems.
• Strong understanding of NPI/NPD and the requirements for successful product introduction into manufacturing

Desirable

• Engineering-biased HNC/HND or equivalent experience.
• Degree-level qualification.
• Aerospace Production Organisation experience and knowledge of aviation interiors quality and procedural requirements.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
• IOSH Managing Safely or higher.
• Previous experience as a nominated EASA Form 4 – POA holder.

Personal skills / attributes

• Strong and credible leadership skills, with the ability to lead through significant growth and organisational change.
• Highly organised, commercially aware and results-driven.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence across functions and at all levels of the organisation.
• High level of personal accountability with a strong bias for action.
• Ability to develop people, build effective management teams and create a culture of ownership.
• Structured and analytical approach to problem solving and decision making.
• Approachable, pragmatic and willing to be hands-on when required.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, challenging and continuously changing environment.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a clear focus on the wider business objectives.
• Commitment to the values of Mirus and to creating a high-performing and positive working environment.

Be eligible to work in the UK, comfortable commuting or being based in Hingham, Norfolk and work flexible hours required