At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Established UK manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, 28 days holiday, and discretionary bonuses.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression in a dynamic and engaged workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior leadership role with significant autonomy and responsibility.
- Qualifications: Senior manufacturing leadership experience and strong people management skills.
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?
- Permanent role from day one
- Newcastle Upon Tyne location
- Salary circa £50K per annum
- Company car or car allowance
- Working hours Monday to Friday 8am-5pm (1 hour for lunch)
- 28 days holiday including statutory
- Discretionary annual bonus (subject to company and individual performance)
- Long term opportunity for further progression within the business
- Senior leadership role reporting directly to the Managing Director
- Significant autonomy and responsibility
- Opportunity to genuinely influence the future direction of the business
- Established and respected UK manufacturer
- Opportunity to lead operational improvement and business growth initiatives
- Hands-on leadership role within a highly engaged manufacturing environment
THE BUSINESS
Our client serves a high-volume manufacturing environment from their Newcastle location. They have a diverse range of products under their portfolio. With national recognition for quality at competitive pricing, they have gained a strong reputation to supply major blue-chip companies, stocking many household brands within their customer base. They have an excellent reputation supplying customers across healthcare, household, food and industrial sectors.
The organisation has a £10M turnover and employs circa 55 people. Due to a pending retirement of a longstanding employee, the organisation is currently recruiting a Factory Operations Manager to ensure the achievement of day to day production plans. The successful candidate will be able to balance long-term planning with the day to day demands of a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The successful post holder will have responsibility for the full factory, reporting into the MD and will hold direct responsibility for reports within Quality & Compliance, Production Management, Technical & Engineering and Warehouse & Logistics, who then feed into their own teams. You will also act as a supporting role within Office Management, although this reports direct to the MD.
This is an excellent opportunity to join the business and make the role your own. We are seeking someone from a fast-paced, deadline-driven industry who has been instrumental in leading people and shaping organisational culture. This is a senior leadership role within a successful SME manufacturing business where visibility, communication and engagement remain fundamental to how they operate.
Whilst they continue to invest in modern manufacturing systems, operational data and continuous improvement initiatives, they remain a practical, hands-on manufacturing business. The management team spend the majority of their time within the manufacturing and warehouse environment, rather than behind desks. Daily operational meetings, shift handovers and regular engagement throughout the factory are central to how they communicate, solve problems and maintain standards. They are looking for a leader who is comfortable operating within this environment and who understands the importance of being present within the operation.
THE ROLE
- Health and Safety is the main priority of the site
- We are not looking for an experienced Factory Operations Manager who prefers to lead from behind a desk. We are looking for a visible and engaged manufacturing leader who enjoys being part of the operation, understands what is happening on the factory floor and warehouse at all times and naturally builds strong relationships with people throughout the business.
- Ensuring quality, compliance and overall customer satisfaction is vital to the business
- You will use KPI reporting, operational data and management information to identify trends and support decision-making, whilst recognising that effective management also requires direct observation, communication and involvement within the operation.
- You will lead through presence, communication and accountability.
- You will be comfortable holding managers and employees accountable, whilst also providing support, direction and leadership when required.
- The successful candidate will maintain high standards throughout the operation through visibility, engagement and accountability whilst ensuring the business continues to improve and develop.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading the day-to-day operation of the manufacturing facility.
- Developing, supporting and holding accountable the site management team.
- Ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and environmental compliance.
- Ensuring customer quality, compliance and product requirements are consistently achieved.
- Delivering agreed operational KPIs and business objectives.
- Driving productivity, efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Optimising labour, equipment and material utilisation.
- Supporting and developing departmental managers and future leaders.
- Ensuring effective communication throughout the business.
- Maintaining high standards of housekeeping, GMP and workplace organisation.
- Supporting investment, automation and operational development projects.
- Ensuring operational expenditure is managed within agreed budgets.
THE PERSON
- Senior manufacturing leadership experience.
- Experienced working with a high volume, product led, deadline driven manufacturing settings.
- Experience managing managers and departmental leaders.
- Strong health and safety leadership experience.
- Experience operating within KPI-driven manufacturing environments.
- Strong people management and communication skills.
- Proven track record of delivering operational improvements.
- Able to manage people at all levels and able to operate using principles of fairness.
- A strategic thinker who can balance long term planning with the day to day demands of a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Able to effectively empower others.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Effective people manager – can bring out the best in people.
- Able to support, question, mentor and challenge.
Desirable:
- Packaging manufacturing experience.
- Plastic industry experience.
- BRCGS experience.
- ISO 9001 experience.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
TO APPLY
Please send your updated CV to Tony Hutchinson or apply direct by calling Westray Recruitment Group.
Factory Operations Manager in Killingworth employer: Westray Recruitment Consultants Ltd
Join a respected UK manufacturer in Newcastle Upon Tyne, where you will enjoy a permanent role with significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence business direction. With a strong focus on employee engagement, health and safety, and continuous improvement, this company offers a supportive work culture, competitive salary, and long-term growth opportunities within a dynamic manufacturing environment. Experience hands-on leadership in a thriving SME that values communication and operational excellence.
Contact Details:
Westray Recruitment Consultants Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Factory Operations Manager in Killingworth
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We think you need these skills to ace Factory Operations Manager in Killingworth
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 Westray Recruitment Consultants 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 Westray Recruitment Consultants Ltd
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Westray Recruitment Consultants 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 Westray Recruitment Consultants 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.
