Operations Manager in Uckfield

The Operations Manager provides strategic leadership across all operational functions, ensuring the business can meet current and future demand safely, efficiently, and profitably. The role oversees and provides cover for Production, Planning & Purchasing, Stores & Logistics and Machine Shop, with direct responsibility for Facilities, and HSQE. As well as ensuring customer orders are fulfilled safely, on time, in full, and to the required quality and cost targets through effective leadership and optimisation of the operational value chain, the role has direct responsibility for long-term operational effectiveness, including strategic purchasing, cost reduction, supplier optimisation, capacity planning, ERP and process improvements, inventory strategy, and compliance with ISO 9001 and UK HSE regulations. The position is on-site at the Company’s office in Uckfield, UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
  • Lead day-to-day operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
  • Develop and maintain operational plans, capacity models, and resource allocation to meet current and projected customer demand.
  • Provide lead-time commitments to Sales and communicate risks to on-time delivery.
  • Own operational KPIs, analyse trends, and drive cross-functional improvement actions.
  • Prepare and present monthly operational KPI reports.
  • Provide leadership and support to the operational teams, stepping in to support or perform tasks directly when needed (e.g., expediting, purchasing, logistics tasks, production coordination).
• Supply Chain & Material Management
  • Lead strategic purchasing initiatives to reduce cost, improve reliability, and mitigate supply risk.
  • Manage material availability, inventory performance, cost control, and long-term stock strategy.
  • Maintain accurate routings and standard times in collaboration with Engineering and Finance.
  • Support sourcing decisions and supplier development initiatives for quality, delivery, and cost improvement.
  • Ensure compliant and efficient logistics processes for domestic and international shipments.
• Health, Safety & Environment
  • Promote and enforce a strong safety culture across all operational areas.
  • Ensure compliance with UK HSE requirements, including risk assessments, safe systems of work, COSHH, PUWER/LOLER, and contractor management.
  • Lead incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented and monitored.
  • Ensure facilities, plant, and equipment are maintained in a safe and compliant condition.
  • Act as Emergency Coordinator for the facility.
• Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure operational compliance with ISO 9001:2015, internal procedures, and customer requirements.
  • Oversee NCR and root cause analysis processes in collaboration with Engineering and Production.
  • Maintain and develop the QMS documentation relevant to operations.
  • Ensure calibration, maintenance, and equipment records are accurate and up to date.
  • Conduct internal audits and support external audits.
• Team Development
  • Provide clear leadership, coaching, and development to operational staff and supervisors.
  • Ensure clear communication of Company goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
  • Manage performance, training needs, development plans, and annual reviews for direct reports.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and safety.
  • Lead lean manufacturing, process improvement, and waste reduction initiatives across the value stream.
  • Drive improvements in throughput, lead time, inventory turnover, and operational cost efficiency.
  • Identify opportunities to improve ERP utilisation and data accuracy to support planning and decision-making.
  • Manage operational projects, including CAPEX investment, layout optimisation, new product introductions, and strategic process improvements.

Experience, Qualifications & Skills

• Proven experience in an operations or production leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production planning, supply chain, quality systems, and HSE compliance.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and operational reporting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Health & Safety requirements (e.g. IOSH qualification).
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities, with a track record of driving performance improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to drive medium-to-long-term operational improvements.

Beneficial

• Experience in geotechnical instrumentation or a similar technical manufacturing environment.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience leading ISO 9001:2015 audits or maintaining QMS documentation.

Compensation

• Twenty days holiday plus statutory bank holidays.
• Pension & Life Insurance.
• Private Health Insurance.

Company Background

Soil Instruments Ltd. is a world leader in developing and manufacturing geotechnical sensing measurement products serving the Structural Health, Construction, and Civil Engineering markets and is a dominant brand in Europe. With a global reach into over 30 countries and thousands of proven applications, the Company is a recognized leader in geotechnical instrumentation. For more information, please visit www.soilinstruments.com.