Director of Engineering And Operations

Director of Engineering And Operations

Full-Time 61200 - 74800 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering and operations to enhance plant performance and profitability.
  • Company: Established materials processing business with ambitious growth plans.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, fuel card, pension, and career advancement opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team and grow into broader leadership roles.
  • Why this job: Make a measurable impact on operational efficiency and financial performance.
  • Qualifications: Chartered Engineer with experience in high-volume materials processing.

The predicted salary is between 61200 - 74800 £ per year.

Do you enjoy using engineering improvements to make a measurable difference to plant performance and profitability?

Can you lead experienced Site Managers and engineering teams, challenge performance and hold people accountable?

If so, this is worth a conversation.

The Opportunity

We are recruiting an Engineering Operations Director for an established and highly profitable specialist materials processing business operating a small number of industrial processing sites. This is not a general Operations Director position as you will lead the engineering and operational performance of the business, using your technical understanding of plant, process and production to identify where improvements can be made. In an environment where relatively small improvements in uptime, throughput, recovery and efficiency can produce significant financial gains, you will have the opportunity to make a very visible difference. The business is already performing well. Your job is to make it perform better. You will use plant data, engineering knowledge and strong operational leadership to answer those questions and then make the changes happen.

To Be Successful You Will Be:

  • Highly proficient in production engineering environments involving high volumes of material
  • Experienced in using data to improve plant uptime, throughput, recovery and production efficiency
  • Able to positively challenge Site Managers, Production Managers and engineering teams on performance
  • Experienced in driving maintenance strategy to improve plant availability and reliability
  • Strong in mechanical plant, materials processing and process optimisation
  • Able to identify bottlenecks and understand the levers that improve plant performance
  • Commercially strong and able to connect operational improvements to cost per tonne, margin, P&L and EBITDA
  • Comfortable working with operational data and spreadsheets to identify where performance is being won or lost
  • A strong leader who creates accountability and operates with a genuine say/do mentality

Your Background

This role needs an engineer who has developed into an operational leader, rather than a general Operations Director who happens to manage an engineering team. You will therefore need:

  • Experience within aggregates, recycling, quarrying, minerals, waste processing, cement, bulk materials or another high-volume materials processing environment would be relevant.
  • Chartered Engineer status, or equivalent professional accreditation, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
  • A Mechanical, Production, Chemical, Process or closely related engineering background
  • Significant senior management experience within an industrial or process environment
  • A strong track record of improving plant and operational performance

The Role

Based primarily from the Nottingham/ Derby area, you will take responsibility for engineering and operations across three sites. You will lead the Site Managers and work closely with production, maintenance and engineering teams to:

  • Maximise plant performance and availability
  • Improve throughput and recovery
  • Reduce avoidable downtime
  • Strengthen preventative maintenance and plant reliability
  • Improve labour and operational productivity
  • Reduce cost per tonne
  • Identify and deliver engineering improvements
  • Support plant upgrades and capital projects
  • Improve operational reporting and accountability
  • Maintain strong safety and compliance standards
  • Translate engineering and operational improvements into better financial performance

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

The business is established, profitable and has ambitious plans for its next stage. You will be joining at a point where you can work alongside an experienced senior team, gain a detailed understanding of the operation and play a significant role in how the business develops from here. For someone who delivers strongly and demonstrates the wider commercial and leadership capability, there is scope for the position to develop into broader business leadership in the future, potentially at Managing Director level.

Interested? Click Apply and send your CV, or contact Phil Walker at Precision People for a confidential discussion.

Director of Engineering And Operations employer: Precision People

As an Engineering Operations Director at our established and profitable materials processing business in the Derby/Nottingham area, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values innovation and accountability. We offer competitive compensation, including a substantial bonus structure and benefits like a fuel card and pension, while fostering employee growth through opportunities to lead and implement impactful engineering improvements. Join us to make a measurable difference in plant performance and profitability, all within a supportive environment that encourages professional development and collaboration.

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Contact Details:

Precision People Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering And Operations

Join Engineering Meetups!

Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Director of Engineering And Operations role you’re after at Precision People.

Show Off Your Projects!

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Engage with Online Communities

Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Precision People.

Apply Through Company Websites

When you spot a role like Director of Engineering And Operations at Precision People, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering And Operations

Production Engineering
Data Analysis
Operational Leadership
Mechanical Plant Knowledge
Process Optimisation
Maintenance Strategy Development
Performance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Director of Engineering And Operations, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.

Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Precision People a clear picture of the value you can bring.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Precision People specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Precision People

Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles

Before heading into the interview with Precision People, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.

Relate Your Experience to the Role

In a full-time role, employers like Precision People want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.

Know Your Tools and Software

Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.