At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop operational teams to enhance manufacturing performance and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Established precision engineering manufacturer with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy in decision-making, and long-term career progression.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and contribute to the next phase of business growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management with a strong engineering background and people leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Operations Manager with a strong engineering and manufacturing background, proven people leadership skills and a track record of driving operational change? Do you enjoy improving manufacturing performance, introducing better reporting and KPI visibility, and working collaboratively with senior leadership to modernise operations and increase efficiency?
We are recruiting exclusively for a well-established and growing precision engineering manufacturer seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations at their Kent facility. This is a highly influential role, working closely alongside the General Manager to strengthen operational performance, improve processes and help support the next phase of growth for the business. The environment is heavily manufacturing-focused and relatively manual in nature, so this role would suit someone with a strong technical and engineering understanding who can combine hands-on operational credibility with strategic leadership and continuous improvement expertise.
The successful candidate will be confident managing people, performance and change, whilst maintaining a collaborative and approachable leadership style.
Key responsibilities will include:- Leading and developing operational teams across production and manufacturing
- Working closely with the General Manager to improve operational performance and site capability
- Implementing and driving meaningful KPI reporting, monitoring and accountability across the business
- Introducing and improving reporting tools, operational visibility and performance tracking
- Leading change management initiatives and driving a culture of continuous improvement
- Improving efficiencies, workflow and operational processes within a largely manual manufacturing environment
- Supporting production planning, capacity management and resource allocation
- Coaching, mentoring and developing teams to improve engagement and performance
- Ensuring operational targets relating to quality, cost and delivery are achieved
- Collaborating closely with engineering, quality and leadership teams to support operational excellence
We are keen to speak with candidates who have:
- Proven experience within an Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Production leadership role
- A strong engineering or technical manufacturing background, either through education, qualifications or hands-on industry experience
- Experience within precision engineering, industrial manufacturing or other highly regulated engineering sectors
- Strong examples of successfully implementing operational improvements and managing change
- Experience setting, monitoring and reporting on KPIs and operational metrics
- Strong people management capability with a collaborative, supportive leadership approach
- Experience improving reporting systems, dashboards or operational tracking tools
- A continuous improvement mindset with knowledge of lean manufacturing principles
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality, cost and delivery objectives
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and build credibility across all levels of the business
What’s on offer?
- A senior leadership role with genuine influence and autonomy
- The opportunity to make a visible impact within a growing engineering and manufacturing business
- A collaborative environment where operational improvements and new ideas are encouraged
- Long-term progression opportunities within a larger international group
- £60,000 – £65,000 salary depending on experience
This role is being managed exclusively by Pearson Whiffin Recruitment and will move quickly for the right person. To find out more, apply with an up to date CV.
Operations Manager – Precision Engineering / Manufacturing in Kent employer: Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
Join a well-established precision engineering manufacturer in Sittingbourne, Kent, where your expertise as an Operations Manager will be valued and impactful. With a strong focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, you'll have the opportunity to lead operational teams, drive meaningful change, and contribute to the company's growth while enjoying a competitive salary and long-term career progression within a supportive work culture.
Contact Details:
Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager – Precision Engineering / Manufacturing in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them improve. This shows you're not just interested in any job, but specifically in making a difference at their organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven operational change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people quickly.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager – Precision Engineering / Manufacturing in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your engineering and manufacturing experience, and don’t forget to showcase your people leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve driven operational change in previous roles!
Showcase Your Achievements:When writing your application, focus on specific examples of how you've improved processes or implemented KPIs. We love seeing quantifiable results, so if you’ve increased efficiency or reduced costs, let us know!
Be Authentic:We’re looking for someone who can lead with a collaborative and approachable style. Use your application to convey your personality and leadership approach. Don’t be afraid to show us what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quickly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the operations manager role. Be ready to discuss how you've used KPIs in past roles to drive improvements and monitor performance. This shows you understand the metrics that matter in manufacturing.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your people management skills. Think about times when you’ve successfully led teams through change or improved engagement. A collaborative and supportive leadership style is crucial, so be ready to demonstrate how you foster teamwork.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to talk about your experience with lean manufacturing principles and operational improvements. Share specific examples of how you’ve implemented changes that enhanced efficiency or workflow in a manual manufacturing environment.
✨Research the Company
Take some time to learn about the precision engineering manufacturer you’re interviewing with. Understand their products, market position, and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest in contributing to their growth.
