At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage service operations for CNC machine tools at a major customer site.
- Company: Join a leading company in high-precision equipment with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to develop leadership skills in a customer-facing environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving machine availability and delivering exceptional technical service.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing engineering teams and strong technical knowledge of CNC machinery.
The Opportunity We are looking for an experienced Service 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 with CNC machine tools, 5-axis milling, fault finding, service and maintenance
Site Operations Manager – Machine Tools employer: The Clay Partnership Ltd
Join a world leader in surface finishing technology, where your expertise as a Bodyshop Technician will be valued and rewarded. With a competitive salary of £35,000 - £45,000 plus bonuses, comprehensive benefits including a company car, pension, and private medical health plan, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in the vibrant regions of Yorkshire or the North East of England, this role offers the unique opportunity to engage with a diverse range of industrial customers while enjoying a dynamic and collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Operations Manager – Machine Tools
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like The Clay Partnership Ltd, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Site Operations Manager – Machine Tools
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to The Clay Partnership Ltd specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Clay Partnership Ltd
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with The Clay Partnership Ltd, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like The Clay Partnership Ltd value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
