At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic manufacturing operation, driving performance and continuous improvement.
- Company: Globally backed manufacturing business with strong order books.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and opportunities for progression.
- Other info: Collaborative leadership team with real autonomy and ownership.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in manufacturing and strong operational decision-making skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 78000 £ per year.
An established and globally backed manufacturing business is looking to appoint a high‑calibre Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead a critical front‑end manufacturing operation within a complex, high‑volume industrial environment. This is not a traditional production management role. The successful candidate will operate as a General Manager for their business unit – owning performance across safety, quality, throughput, cost, people and continuous improvement while leading a sizeable manufacturing operation supplying long‑term customer programmes.
The role sits within a senior leadership structure and offers genuine influence across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, and commercial performance. You will take responsibility for a major manufacturing value stream, overseeing the full front‑end production process from raw material intake through primary processing before handover into finishing operations. Leading through a team of Production Managers, Shift Managers and Team Leaders, you will oversee an indirect workforce of approximately 70 employees within a unionised manufacturing environment. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring both strategic thinking and operational delivery.
The business has strong order books and long‑term customer demand, however success in this role will come from your ability to:
- Drive operational performance daily
- Improve productivity and throughput
- Manage cost and labour performance
- Build strong supplier relationships
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives
- Develop leadership capability within the operation
- Create future‑state operational improvements rather than simply managing day‑to‑day production
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all operational activity across the assigned business unit
- Own daily Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost performance
- Manage and deliver operational KPIs and business unit P&L performance
- Lead, coach, and develop Production Managers and wider leadership teams
- Drive labour planning, resource allocation and productivity improvements
- Identify bottlenecks, constraints, and capacity challenges
- Work cross‑functionally with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain and Customer teams
- Lead operational continuous improvement activity using Lean and CI methodologies
- Drive accountability, engagement and performance culture across the shop floor
- Manage operational risk, supplier challenges, and changing production demands
- Support longer‑term operational strategy and future growth planning
About You
- Has genuinely led large manufacturing operations
- Understands how to drive performance through people
- Can balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational leadership
- Brings practical continuous improvement experience rather than textbook theory
- Builds relationships across all levels of a business
- Thrives in fast‑paced production environments
- Has the credibility and presence to influence across departments
Experience Required
- Significant leadership experience within a manufacturing environment
- Experience leading large operational teams through subordinate managers
- Strong understanding of production, quality, HSE and cost management
- Experience within unionised environments is advantageous
- Proven continuous improvement and operational transformation experience
- Strong commercial and operational decision‑making capability
- Lean / Six Sigma exposure beneficial
Why Apply?
- Strong long‑term order books
- Significant operational scale
- A collaborative leadership team
- Real autonomy and ownership
- Opportunities for progression within a larger international group
- The chance to make a genuine operational impact
The role would suit an ambitious manufacturing leader seeking a broader operational leadership position with significant visibility and influence.
Manufacturing Operations Manager employer: SF Partners
Join a globally backed manufacturing business in South Wales, where you will have the opportunity to lead a critical front-end operation in a dynamic and high-volume industrial environment. With strong order books and a collaborative leadership team, this role offers real autonomy, significant operational scale, and genuine opportunities for progression within an international group, making it an excellent employer for ambitious leaders looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to leadership and operational performance. We suggest using the STAR method to structure your responses – it’ll help you shine!
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Manufacturing Operations Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any continuous improvement initiatives you've led, as these are key to what we're looking for.
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 this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational performance and built strong teams in previous positions.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and data to demonstrate how you've improved productivity, managed costs, or enhanced safety in past roles. Numbers speak volumes!
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. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Partners
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's manufacturing processes and operations. Understand their key performance indicators (KPIs) and how they align with your experience. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven operational performance in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Manufacturing Operations Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare to share stories that highlight your ability to lead large teams, develop talent, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Think about how you’ve built relationships across departments and how you can bring that to the table.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about potential bottlenecks or challenges in a manufacturing environment and how you would address them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be ready to discuss your practical experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Share specific initiatives you've led that resulted in measurable improvements. This will show your potential employer that you’re not just familiar with these concepts but have successfully implemented them in a manufacturing setting.
