At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage day-to-day operations for a site-based engineering team.
- Company: Join a leading company in high-precision equipment and advanced manufacturing.
- Benefits: Relocation package available, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with autonomy and the chance to develop a skilled engineering team.
- Why this job: Take ownership of site performance and make a real impact on customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing engineering teams and strong technical knowledge in CNC machinery.
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The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Customer Operations Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of service and maintenance activities at a major blue-chip customer site.
This is a highly visible, customer-facing operational leadership role with responsibility for managing the site-based engineering team, coordinating maintenance and breakdown activity, driving machine availability and ensuring the customer receives an exceptional level of technical service and support.
The successful candidate will provide the crucial link between the customer, the site engineering team and the wider service organisation.
You will take ownership of operational priorities on site, ensuring engineers and resources are deployed effectively and that planned and reactive maintenance activities are managed professionally and efficiently.
Strong technical engineering knowledge is essential.
You will need the technical credibility to support experienced Service Engineers, understand complex CNC machine tool problems, participate in technical discussions and communicate confidently with the customer’s engineering and operational teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day site service and maintenance operation, ensuring consistently high standards of delivery.
- Manage, motivate and develop the site-based engineering team, creating a culture of accountability and technical excellence.
- Plan and prioritise resources across planned maintenance, breakdowns and customer production requirements.
- Drive improvements in machine uptime, availability, response times, preventative maintenance completion and service quality.
- Coordinate complex breakdowns and technical issues, supporting engineers with fault finding, root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Act as the primary operational interface with the customer, leading service reviews, managing expectations and resolving escalations.
- Monitor service KPIs, engineering performance and outstanding actions, providing clear reporting and escalation to the Service Director.
- The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience managing service, maintenance or engineering teams within CNC machine tools, capital equipment or advanced manufacturing.
- Strong operational leadership with experience managing engineers in a demanding, customer-facing environment.
- A solid technical engineering background with the credibility to support and challenge experienced engineers.
- Experience managing both planned preventative maintenance and reactive breakdown activity on complex production equipment.
- Strong customer-management skills with the confidence to engage with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations and senior customer stakeholders.
- Proven people-management capability, including coaching, development, performance management and accountability.
- A proactive, organised and decisive approach with strong communication, problem-solving and continuous-improvement skills.
- Preferred Background
- Previous experience as a Service Engineer, Senior Engineer, Team Leader, Service Manager or Maintenance Manager before progressing into operational leadership.
- Experience working for a machine tool builder, distributor or specialist service organisation.
- Strong exposure to sophisticated CNC machinery and high-value capital equipment.
- Experience managing engineers within a customer-site or field-service environment.
- Background within aerospace, automotive, defence, precision engineering or high-value manufacturing would be advantageous.
- Experience working with major blue-chip manufacturing customers.
- A track record of retaining strong technical knowledge while progressing into people and operational management.
Why This Role?
- Leadership with technical involvement – Lead and develop an experienced engineering team while remaining close to sophisticated CNC machine tools, breakdowns and technical problem-solving.
- Genuine autonomy and ownership – Have real responsibility for site performance, engineering priorities, machine availability and the overall quality of service delivered.
- The opportunity to join a leader in their with premium high precision equipment
- Interested? Apply with an up-to-date CV outlining your experience
Customer Operations Manager – Engineering Services in Preston employer: The Clay Partnership Ltd
Join an established technology business that has been at the forefront of supporting essential public services since the early 1990s. As an Area Sales Manager, you'll enjoy a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through training and networking opportunities, while making a tangible impact on local government efficiency and sustainability. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, this role offers a rewarding career path in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Operations Manager – Engineering Services in Preston
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Customer Operations Manager – Engineering Services role you’re after at The Clay Partnership Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at The Clay Partnership Ltd a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at The Clay Partnership Ltd.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Customer Operations Manager – Engineering Services at The Clay Partnership Ltd, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Operations Manager – Engineering Services in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Customer Operations Manager – Engineering Services, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at The Clay Partnership Ltd a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to The Clay Partnership Ltd specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Clay Partnership Ltd
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with The Clay Partnership Ltd, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like The Clay Partnership Ltd want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
