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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and integrate operations in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Innovative SME in West Yorkshire with a focus on technical excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and direct influence on operations.
- Other info: Collaborate closely with senior leadership and engineering teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of operations in a fast-paced, exciting industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in manufacturing and supply chain management.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: West Yorkshire
Salary: Competitive + benefits
Reports to: CEO
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead and integrate our end‑to‑end operational and supply chain (including procurement) functions within a low‑volume, highly technical manufacturing SME. This is a critical leadership role with full responsibility for Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Logistics, and Warehouse operations. The successful candidate will balance strategic direction with hands‑on operational leadership, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and scalable processes while supporting innovation and customer delivery in a technically demanding environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Provide overall leadership and direction across Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Logistics, and Warehouse functions.
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business objectives and growth plans.
- Lead, mentor, and develop multi‑disciplinary teams, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
- Production & Manufacturing
- Oversee low‑volume, high‑complexity manufacturing operations, ensuring delivery to quality, cost, and schedule.
- Drive capacity planning, resource optimisation, and production planning.
- Support engineering and NPI activities, ensuring smooth transition from design to manufacture.
- Quality & Compliance
- Own the Quality Management System and ensure compliance with relevant industry standards (e.g. ISO, regulatory or customer‑specific requirements).
- Drive a culture of right‑first‑time, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
- Act as senior point of contact for audits, customers, and regulatory bodies.
- Supply Chain & Purchasing
- Develop and manage a resilient supply chain capable of supporting technically complex, low‑volume production.
- Lead supplier selection, negotiation, performance management, and risk mitigation.
- Ensure effective purchasing strategies for bespoke, high‑value, and long‑lead components.
- Logistics & Warehouse
- Oversee inbound and outbound logistics, inventory management, and warehouse operations.
- Ensure material availability while optimising stock levels and working capital.
- Implement systems and processes to improve traceability, accuracy, and efficiency.
- Continuous Improvement & Systems
- Drive Lean, CI, and operational excellence initiatives appropriate to an SME environment.
- Improve processes, data visibility, KPIs, and ERP/MRP utilisation.
- Support scalability as the business grows, without over‑engineering solutions.
About You
- Proven senior operations leadership experience within an SME manufacturing environment.
- Background in low‑volume, high‑mix, technically complex manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Logistics, and Warehouse functions.
- Comfortable operating strategically while remaining hands‑on and detail‑focused.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience in regulated or high‑reliability industries (e.g. aerospace, defence, nuclear, medical, advanced engineering, electronics, precision manufacturing).
- Formal operations, engineering, or supply chain qualification.
- Track record of scaling operations within a growing SME.
Why Join Us?
- Key leadership role with real influence and autonomy reporting directly to the CEO.
- Opportunity to shape and scale operations in a technically exciting business.
- Close collaboration with senior leadership and engineering teams.
- Agile SME environment where decisions turn into action quickly.
Desired Skills and Experience
Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chain Leadership in a Low Volume complex manufacturing environment.
Operations Director in Leeds employer: W Talent
Contact Detail:
W Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local meetups. 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 operations. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them overcome these. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your leadership style and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing and showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve driven operational excellence in similar environments!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved processes in previous positions. We love a good story that shows your impact!
Showcase Relevant Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements! Whether it’s improving quality metrics or optimising supply chains, we want to know how you’ve made a difference. Numbers and results speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at W Talent
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of operations management, especially in low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like supply chain optimisation, quality management systems, and lean methodologies. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the company's needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully mentored teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you fostered accountability and collaboration. This role requires a balance of strategic direction and hands-on leadership, so highlight your ability to do both.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, expect questions that assess your understanding of production processes, compliance standards, and supply chain management. Brush up on relevant industry standards like ISO and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
The company values innovation and operational excellence, so come armed with examples of how you've driven continuous improvement initiatives. Discuss specific projects where you've improved processes or implemented new systems that enhanced efficiency and data visibility.