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, long-term progression opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with autonomy and the chance to implement meaningful operational changes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior leadership role within a growing engineering business.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operations management and a strong engineering background.
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 Sittingbourne employer: Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
Join a well-established precision engineering manufacturer in Sittingbourne, Kent, where you will play a pivotal role as an Operations Manager. This company fosters a collaborative work culture that values operational improvements and innovative ideas, offering competitive salaries and long-term growth opportunities within an international group. With a focus on continuous improvement and a supportive leadership style, this is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the manufacturing sector.
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 Sittingbourne
✨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 to meet potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨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 efficiency and performance. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Reach out directly to companies you admire, even if they’re not advertising roles. A well-crafted email expressing your interest can open doors and lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team in the precision engineering field.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager – Precision Engineering / Manufacturing in Sittingbourne
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 achievements that demonstrate your ability to improve performance and implement KPIs. Use numbers and examples to back up your claims – we love a good success story!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone with a collaborative and approachable leadership style, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and how you connect with teams.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to operations management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive improvements in previous roles. This shows you understand the importance of metrics in manufacturing and can bring that expertise to the table.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your people management skills. Think about times when you successfully led a team through change or improved engagement. A collaborative and supportive leadership style is crucial for this role, so make sure to convey that in your responses.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Familiarise yourself with lean manufacturing principles and be ready to discuss how you've implemented operational improvements in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve driven efficiency and workflow enhancements in a manual manufacturing environment.
✨Engage with the Company’s Vision
Research the company and its goals before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their vision for growth and operational excellence. Showing genuine interest in their mission will help you stand out as a candidate who is not just looking for a job, but is invested in their success.
