Operations & Production Director in Stoke-on-Trent
Operations & Production Director

Operations & Production Director in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Talent Finder

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead production from design to installation, ensuring quality and efficiency.
  • Company: Join a leading design and build partner in the exhibition industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, health cash plan, birthday holiday, and pension contributions.
  • Why this job: Take ownership of operations and make a real impact on exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in operations or production, with strong project management skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and team building.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Location: Stoke-on-Trent

Job Type: Full-time

Working Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with a 30-minute break

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum

Our client is a leading design and build partner delivering high-quality exhibitions, interiors, and brand experiences through fully integrated, in-house production.

Whats In It For You

  • Full ownership across production, planning, warehouse, logistics, and facilities
  • Opportunity to build a truly best-in-class operational function
  • Auto-enrolment Workplace Pension: Automatic enrolment into a workplace pension to help you save for retirement. Envisage contributes 3% of qualifying earnings (£6,240 - £50,270 per year before tax)
  • Health Cash Plan: Cashback on everyday healthcare costs including dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more. Dependents covered for free; claims usually paid within 5 days
  • Life Cover: Employee life insurance paying 1x your annual salary, with access to additional services such as GP24 (24/7 health experts), employee assistance programme, funeral planning, bereavement and probate support
  • Birthday Holiday: Take your birthday as a paid day off (or the next working day if it falls on a weekend/public holiday)
  • Paid annual leave and public holidays

Requirements

Essential

  • Proven experience in a senior operations or production leadership role within:
  • Exhibition/event build
  • Interior fit-out / commercial interiors
  • Manufacturing / bespoke joinery
  • Demonstrable experience managing project-based production environments with multiple concurrent projects
  • Strong track record of delivering projects on time and on budget
  • Experience managing production teams, workshop environments, and multi-disciplinary teams (joinery, graphics/scenic, logistics/installation)
  • Strong experience in production planning, scheduling, and resource management across multiple departments
  • Ability to balance resource allocation, manage capacity, and resolve bottlenecks
  • Strong commercial mindset with experience managing project budgets, cost control (materials, labour, subcontracting), and margin performance
  • Experience tracking estimated vs actual costs, labour efficiency, and cost-to-complete
  • Strong understanding of production workflows, technical drawings, manufacturing processes, and materials
  • Experience overseeing workshop operations, warehouse/logistics, and site delivery
  • Experience managing operational facilities, including machinery, plant, equipment, and site layout
  • Strong understanding of health & safety, compliance, and statutory obligations
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing, accountable teams
  • Highly organised, methodical, proactive, and solutions-focused
  • Excellent communicator across all levels
  • Hands-on, commercially aware, and aligned to a get it done properly culture
  • Desirable

    • Experience within a full in-house production environment
    • Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar CAD systems
    • Experience working within ISO-certified environments (9001 / 14001)
    • IOSH / NEBOSH qualification

    The Role

    • Lead the end-to-end delivery of all project-based production from design handover to installation
    • Own the full operational lifecycle, including manufacturing, warehouse coordination, logistics, and final delivery
    • Own production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation across all live and upcoming projects
    • Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards
    • Lead all workshop operations, including CNC, joinery, scenic, paint, graphics, and finishing
    • Oversee warehouse operations, including goods in/out, picking, packing, storage, and asset tracking
    • Ensure accurate stock control, inventory management, and efficient dispatch
    • Oversee logistics, load planning, and installation readiness
    • Ensure all projects leave the warehouse complete, checked, and ready for installation
    • Drive quality control, snagging, and final sign-off processes
    • Take full ownership of production-related project costs (materials, labour, subcontracting, logistics)
    • Monitor labour utilisation, material usage, cost-to-complete, and margin performance
    • Work closely with Commercial and Project teams to validate budgets and manage performance
    • Own and improve operational workflows, production processes, and SOPs
    • Lead structured production planning and coordination
    • Implement lean processes to improve efficiency and reduce waste
    • Manage site and facilities, including workshop, warehouse, yard, and office environments
    • Oversee maintenance of machinery, plant, and equipment
    • Lead site improvements, layout optimisation, and operational flow
    • Lead health & safety standards, RAMS, and compliance (including ISO 9001 / 14001)
    • Build and lead high-performing teams across production, warehouse, and logistics
    • Drive accountability, performance, and consistent delivery standards

    Whats next? Its easy! Click APPLY now! We cant wait to hear from you!

    Operations & Production Director in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Talent Finder

    As a leading design and build partner in Stoke-on-Trent, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that empowers our employees to take full ownership of their roles. With comprehensive benefits including a health cash plan, life cover, and a unique birthday holiday, we are committed to supporting your well-being and professional growth while providing opportunities to lead best-in-class operational functions in a collaborative environment.
    Talent Finder

    Contact Detail:

    Talent Finder Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Operations & Production Director in Stoke-on-Trent

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in operations and production. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to manage multiple projects effectively.

    ✨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 take that extra step to connect with us directly.

    We think you need these skills to ace Operations & Production Director in Stoke-on-Trent

    Operations Management
    Production Leadership
    Project Management
    Resource Allocation
    Budget Management
    Cost Control
    Production Planning
    Logistics Coordination
    Health & Safety Compliance
    Team Leadership
    Inventory Management
    Technical Drawing Interpretation
    Lean Process Implementation
    Workshop Operations Management
    ISO Standards Knowledge

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations & Production Director role. Highlight your experience in managing production teams and project-based environments, as well as any relevant skills that match the job description.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements in your previous roles that demonstrate your ability to deliver projects on time and on budget.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role requires strong leadership, be sure to include examples of how you've built high-performing teams in the past. Talk about your approach to managing multi-disciplinary teams and how you foster accountability.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Finder

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you thoroughly understand the operations and production processes relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of project management, resource allocation, and production workflows. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experience will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but have successfully applied them.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    As an Operations & Production Director, strong leadership is key. Prepare to share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and managed multi-disciplinary groups. Highlight your ability to resolve conflicts and drive accountability within your teams, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

    ✨Be Ready for Technical Questions

    Expect questions about technical drawings, manufacturing processes, and health & safety compliance. Familiarise yourself with ISO standards and any relevant software like SolidWorks. Demonstrating your technical expertise will help you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.

    ✨Prepare Questions for Them

    Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their current projects, team dynamics, and operational challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values and work style.

    Operations & Production Director in Stoke-on-Trent
    Talent Finder
    Location: Stoke-on-Trent

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