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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing operations across UK and US, driving performance and continuous improvement.
- Company: Established manufacturing business with strong growth plans and international presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, pension scheme, 25 days holiday, and international travel.
- Other info: Dynamic role with real scope for career growth and cross-functional team leadership.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact by leading change and improving operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in manufacturing, experience in supplier management, and strategic operations.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
We’re partnering with a well-established, growing manufacturing business looking to appoint a Head of Manufacturing Operations to lead across UK and US sites. This is a senior leadership role with real scope, overseeing multiple functions including production, quality, engineering, purchasing and driving performance across the wider operation. If you’re someone who thrives when bringing teams together, improving processes, and driving meaningful change, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing and operational performance across UK and US sites
- Oversee key functions including production, quality, engineering and purchasing
- Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency across the business
- Take ownership of supplier management and strategy, working with a global supply base
- Lead change and transformation initiatives across the operation
- Ensure quality, compliance and performance standards are consistently met
- Develop and lead cross-functional teams, creating alignment and accountability
- Oversee facilities and plant operations, ensuring reliability and long-term capability
- Collaborate with international teams
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven leadership experience within manufacturing / operations
- Experience overseeing multiple departments at a senior level
- Strong background in supplier management and supplier strategy
- Experience leading change, transformation and continuous improvement
- Comfortable operating at a strategic level
- Experience within complex or high-spec manufacturing environments
- Strong stakeholder management and commercial awareness
Benefits & Key Details
- £100,000 – £120,000 basic salary
- Solid benefits package which includes Private healthcare, very good Pension scheme, Life assurance and more
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- International travel, usually twice per year for 1-2 weeks
- Free secure onsite parking
- Opportunity to lead at scale across international operations
- Real scope to drive change and improve performance
- Broad role with ownership across multiple key functions
- Join a business with strong foundations and future growth plans
Locations
Head of Manufacturing & Operations in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Searley Owen
Contact Detail:
Searley Owen Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing & Operations in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing and operations sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their operations, values, and recent news. We want you to walk in with confidence, ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in driving performance and leading change.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved processes in previous roles. We’re looking for those stories that highlight your ability to drive meaningful change and foster collaboration across departments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Let’s get you on the path to landing that Head of Manufacturing Operations role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing & Operations in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the key skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience in manufacturing and operations, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive change and improve processes.
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 the Head of Manufacturing Operations role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, improved operational efficiency, and managed supplier relationships in the past.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, emphasise your strategic mindset. We want to see how you’ve operated at a senior level and made decisions that have positively impacted the business. Don’t shy away from discussing your experience with change management and transformation initiatives.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Searley Owen
✨Know Your Manufacturing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes and operations. Understand the key functions like production, quality, and engineering, as well as how they interlink. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to lead across multiple departments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you drove change or improved processes. Be ready to discuss your approach to developing cross-functional teams and how you create alignment and accountability among team members.
✨Get Familiar with Supplier Management
Since supplier management is a big part of this role, do your homework on best practices and strategies. Be prepared to talk about your experience with global supply bases and how you've handled supplier relationships in the past. This will show that you can take ownership of supplier strategy effectively.
✨Think Big Picture
This role operates at a strategic level, so be ready to discuss your vision for driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement. Think about how you would lead transformation initiatives and ensure compliance and performance standards are met across the business. Show them you can think beyond the day-to-day operations.