At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform manufacturing operations for scalable growth and efficiency.
- Company: Heritage manufacturing business in Alfreton focused on quality and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, attractive bonus, pension scheme, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid working after initial onboarding, with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a hands-on leader driving impactful change in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Qualifications: Senior operational leadership experience in manufacturing with a track record of transformation.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Sewell Wallis is exclusively partnering with a manufacturing business based in Alfreton with a long-standing heritage in quality, seeking a Chief Operations Officer. With manufacturing at the heart of its identity, operational excellence is critical to its long-term success. The company is entering an important phase of transformation focused on improving efficiency, strengthening operational discipline, modernising infrastructure, and building a scalable manufacturing operation capable of supporting future growth.
This is not a traditional operational oversight role. It requires a highly engaged, hands-on operational leader who can bring structure, pace, accountability, and proactive problem-solving across the business.
What will you be doing?
- Lead and integrate all operational functions across the business
- Drive operational performance, efficiency, and execution across manufacturing and production operations
- Build a scalable operational structure capable of supporting future business growth
- Ensure operational priorities align with commercial demand, customer expectations, and business objectives
- Create a culture of accountability, pace, ownership, and continuous improvement across operational teams
- Take ownership of operational KPIs, workflow performance, and delivery standards
- Support the business in becoming increasingly production-ready and operationally scalable
- Improve planning accuracy, workflow visibility, and production coordination
- Align operational planning with sales forecasts, customer demand, production capacity, workforce availability and material availability
- Work closely with Commercial and Finance teams to improve forecasting discipline and cross-functional planning
- Lead a wider cultural shift towards proactive quality accountability across manufacturing operations, ensuring managers take ownership of individual and departmental quality performance
- Work closely with Production, Technical, and Quality teams to strengthen manufacturing standards, improve consistency, and embed preventative quality controls
- Support and empower the Quality team to act as strategic operational partners, driving improvement projects, coaching operational teams, and influencing long-term behavioural change across manufacturing
- Embed stronger quality reporting, accountability, and performance visibility across operational functions
- Coach, develop, and support Heads of Department across operations
- Support disciplined operational investment and resource allocation
- Provide leadership across IT, systems, site, and facilities functions
- Ensure capital expenditure decisions are commercially justified and operationally effective
- Balance short-term operational priorities with long-term manufacturing sustainability
- Improve machinery utilisation and operational asset management
- Lead regular operational reviews focused on: production status, delivery performance, operational risks, workforce planning and quality performance
- Ensure robust KPI tracking, reporting, and operational governance disciplines are embedded throughout the business
What skills are we looking for?
- Significant senior operational leadership experience within manufacturing or product-led environments
- Proven track record of improving manufacturing performance, leading operational transformation, driving operational efficiency, improving planning and workflow management, and building scalable operational capability
- Strong experience across production, manufacturing, operational planning, operational leadership, and infrastructure and systems
- Experience operating within complex, fast-paced manufacturing environments
- Previous experience leading operational teams through change and performance improvement
- Experience working closely with commercial, finance, technical, and supply chain functions
- SME, owner-led, or vertically integrated manufacturing experience highly desirable
What's on offer?
- c. £75,000 + realistic and attractive bonus structure to achieve an OTE of £100k+
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme
- Initially office-based (first 3-6 months) to embed into the business
- Hybrid working thereafter (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
- 36 days holiday (including public holidays)
Hands-On Manufacturing COO for Scalable Growth employer: Sewell Wallis
Sewell Wallis offers an exceptional opportunity for a Chief Operations Officer in Alfreton, where a rich heritage in quality manufacturing meets a dynamic work culture focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, a realistic bonus structure, generous holiday allowance, and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while fostering professional growth through hands-on leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hands-On Manufacturing COO for Scalable Growth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their history, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out in the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past where you've driven operational efficiency or led teams through change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest and keep you top of mind.
We think you need these skills to ace Hands-On Manufacturing COO for Scalable Growth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hands-On Experience:Make sure to highlight your hands-on operational leadership experience in manufacturing. We want to see how you've driven performance and efficiency in previous roles, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams through change.
Align with Our Values:In your application, reflect on how your values align with our focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement. We’re looking for someone who can create a culture of accountability and ownership, so let us know how you’ve fostered this in past positions.
Be Specific About Achievements:When detailing your achievements, be specific! Use metrics and KPIs to showcase how you've improved operational performance and planning accuracy. This will help us understand the impact you've made in your previous roles.
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. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sewell Wallis
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent developments. Understanding their long-standing heritage in quality and their current transformation phase will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Leadership Style
This role requires a highly engaged operational leader. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven operational performance and efficiency in previous roles. Highlight your proactive problem-solving skills and how you've built accountability within teams.
✨Align Your Experience with Their Needs
Make sure to connect your past experiences directly to the job description. Talk about your track record in improving manufacturing performance and leading operational transformations, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
The company is looking for someone who can create a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. Think about how you've fostered such an environment in your previous roles and be prepared to discuss your approach to coaching and developing teams.
