At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic operations and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and develop future leaders in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading high-performing teams and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are hiring for a Head of Operations who is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, and execution of operational activities across the organisation. This role ensures efficient, safe, and cost-effective delivery of products or services while driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and alignment with business objectives. The position leads cross-functional operational teams and ensures performance against key business metrics including quality, delivery, cost, safety, and customer satisfaction. The role is based at our site in Gateshead and reports into the Vice President of Operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day operational activities in production, supply chain, logistics, and operational support functions.
- Develop and execute the operations strategy aligned to company goals.
- Ensure operational capability supports current and future business growth.
- Drive high standards of operational discipline and accountability.
- Own operational KPIs including:
- On-time delivery
- Productivity
- Cost efficiency
- Quality performance
- Safety performance
- Implement performance management frameworks and regular operational reviews.
- Identify risks to delivery and implement mitigation plans.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation.
- Implement lean manufacturing / operational excellence methodologies.
- Lead efficiency and productivity improvement projects.
- Promote a culture of problem solving and data-driven decision making.
- Develop and manage operational budgets.
- Deliver cost optimisation initiatives without compromising quality or safety.
- Monitor operational performance against financial targets.
- Lead, mentor, and develop operational leadership teams.
- Build high-performing teams and succession plans.
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and engagement.
- Oversee supplier and contract manufacturer relationships where applicable.
- Ensure supply chain resilience and performance.
- Work collaboratively with procurement and external partners.
- Ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain strong health, safety, and environmental performance.
- Ensure operational processes comply with company and industry standards.
- Work closely with Engineering, Commercial teams, Finance, R&D, and Quality.
- Support product launches, scaling of production, and operational readiness.
The Requirements
We’re looking for candidates with the following experience and skills:
- Extensive strategic expertise in operations, manufacturing, and supply chain management at the leadership level.
- Proven track record delivering operational performance improvements.
- Robust experience overseeing multi-disciplinary operational teams.
- In-depth experience managing complex operational environments.
- Performance management and KPI ownership.
- Highly skilled in Lean and operational excellence approaches.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness.
- Demonstratable robust stakeholder management capabilities.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capability.
Qualifications
A degree or equivalent in engineering, operations management, or related discipline is required. Relevant experience could also be considered.
Attributes
The ideal candidate will have the following personal qualities:
- Enthusiastic, flexible and able to thrive and succeed in times of ambiguity and change.
- Structured individual with ability to interact and communicate at all levels of the organisation.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications and relationship building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Good commercial awareness and proactive problem-solving skills to ensure business needs are understood and agreed solutions are delivered.
- Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise work accordingly and meet tight deadlines.
- Pro-active taking ownership of tasks given and follow through to completion.
- Must model highest degree of moral and ethical behaviour.
- Must be able to work alone with minimum guidance, but also be able to operate effectively as part of a team.
- Confident, thoughtful and able to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical team members.
- Ability to mentor and train effectively, supporting development through hands-on or practical experience.
- Must display strong leadership skills and be able to engage and drive a positive high-performance culture.
- Must have an agile approach to work.
- Tackle problems with creativity and innovation.
- Hungry for success, self-motivated, results-driven, and ambitious.
- Able to travel both within and outside of the UK.
Head of Operations in Gateshead employer: Turntide
At Turntide Technologies, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in Gateshead, our team enjoys a supportive environment with ample opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside competitive benefits that prioritise employee well-being. Join us to lead operational excellence and make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking organisation committed to sustainability and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Operations role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations strategy. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around operational excellence and continuous improvement. Show them you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led teams to success, improved performance metrics, or tackled challenges head-on. These anecdotes will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at Turntide Technologies.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your strategic leadership and operational excellence to show us you're the right fit for the Head of Operations role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about operations and how your background aligns with our goals. Share specific examples of your achievements in driving performance improvements and leading teams.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give us a glimpse of your problem-solving abilities. Mention any challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them, especially in complex operational environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you can easily keep track of your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Turntide
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's operations strategy and understand how it aligns with their business goals. Be ready to discuss your own experiences in operational leadership and how you've driven performance improvements in past roles.
✨Showcase Your KPIs Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to the role, such as on-time delivery and cost efficiency. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed these metrics in previous positions, demonstrating your ability to own and improve operational performance.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to talk about your experience with lean methodologies and continuous improvement initiatives. Share specific projects where you led efficiency improvements and how you fostered a culture of problem-solving within your teams.
✨Demonstrate Strong Leadership Skills
Highlight your ability to lead and mentor cross-functional teams. Discuss your approach to building high-performing teams and how you've successfully navigated challenges in complex operational environments, ensuring alignment and collaboration across departments.
