Operations Manager / Director

For over 30 years, Surgical Innovations have proudly designed, developed and manufactured high quality, precision engineered instruments for minimally invasive surgery and are a leading UK manufacturer of medical devices in its respective field. Our success is our people and we currently employ approximately 80 staff from our head office in Leeds. We place great value on our mutually respective relationships, a workplace which is collaborative and dynamic, and a culture which is inclusive and purposeful. The result; a platform for individual development, growth, and prosperity. As we seek to identify, nurture, and retain talent, we offer competitive benefits packages, and continuous training and development opportunities to ensure those joining us on our journey, grow too!

Do you want to be part of an organisation that is leading the evolution in delivering sustainable and innovative solutions which advance healthcare? If so, we want to hear from committed and talented people like you, who share our vision and values to come and join our team.

About the Position

The role of Operations Director is to lead the operational functions of the business, in the areas of production, purchasing, distribution and supply chain, both at a management level to oversee planning, directing and controlling activities of the function to accomplish budgeted financial objectives and standards of manufacturing excellence, whilst also delivering significant contribution to overall business strategy as part of the Executive team, implementing and embedding corporate strategy that supports transformation, cultural change, and growth aligned to the strategic pillars of the business whilst fostering a positive culture and working environment for employees.

Responsibilities

• Overall control of the Production functions, providing direction and leadership to the manufacturing team, and ensuring efficient and effective operations are in place across the facility.
• Evaluate overall company performance and efficiency by gathering, analysing, and interpreting data and metrics and driving a continuous improvement culture to achieve best-in-class performance.
• Ensure that the facility is operated safely, and establish preventative practices to continue to improve the safety performance of the site.
• Ensure and continuously improve compliance to quality standards and regulatory compliance across the entirety of the supply chain.
• Support cross functional departments of the business, to execute the long-term strategy, cost and profit exercises, not compromising on quality and striving for lean world class manufacturing standards.
• Work closely with the board of Directors and Management team to devise strategies to support business growth and operational excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement to eliminate waste, product rework and minimise operations/site carbon footprint.
• Direct and control production activity to ensure that finished goods of the required standard are available to customers within agreed costs and at the right times.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement with enhanced efficiencies and processes in place to reduce cost and increase output whilst maintaining product quality and safety standards.
• Manage human and material resources, ensuring production and workforce planning targets are supported with efficient equipment maintenance and raw material procurement, to meet its objectives within agreed financial parameters.
• Undertake evaluation of in-sourcing and out-sourcing opportunities to achieve the optimal product/production cost structures for the organisation.
• Oversee purchasing to ensure that the company has the goods and services required for production purposes within agreed costs and quality standards and at the right times.
• Direct and control warehousing and distribution functions to ensure that customers on time delivery targets are met with accuracy of goods supplied.
• Develop and control operational budgets to ensure that all defined financial targets are met or exceeded.
• Prepare commercial proposals relating to Capex investment in support of the organisations long term strategy.
• Lead the team, increase capability, and capacity of the Operations area of the business to support increase profit.
• Develop clear targets for the functional managers, holding these leaders accountable to their targets.
• Direct and oversee operations staff to ensure that they are motivated and trained to carry out their responsibilities to the required standard.
• Embrace learning and development to empower employees to continually learn and develop themselves both personally and professionally and develop a business succession plan.
• Implement and ensure an effective two-way communications structure such that every operations colleague is aware of the company's goals and objectives and that every colleague's voice, opinion and suggestions are heard and evaluated.
• Act as the company’s main adviser on all issues relating to operational functions and keep abreast of latest developments to ensure that the company maintains its competitive position.

Experience & Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent and relevant professional qualifications.
• Extensive operations management experience at a senior level within manufacturing or engineering.
• Experience of delivering in a regulated environment, ie. Medical Devices.
• Prior experience in successfully implementing lean manufacturing/5S and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge and understanding of P&L, balance sheet and cashflow.
• Hands-on, team player with the ability to interact at all levels within the organisation.
• Analytical skills to evaluate data and performance/operation metrics.
• Ability to translate complex strategies, goals and objectives into simple, achievable and measurable actions.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills (verbal, written, presentation).
• Results oriented for both short and long term objectives.
• Ability to understand/learn regulatory requirements of Medical devices.

What we offer

This role offers a competitive salary of up to £75,000 (dependent on experience), and a range of benefits including a 9-day working fortnight (every second Friday off), pension, bonus & share option scheme, life assurance, private medical, income protection, health cash plan, perkbox, and free parking. If this sounds interesting and the right challenge for you, we look forward to receiving your application!