Operations Director – Advanced Manufacturing

Job Information

Job Type

Full-Time, Permanent

Posted on

28 May 2026

Job Level

Director

Best Canditate

Listing Features

Reporting directly to the senior leadership team, you will take ownership of the operational function and ensure the business continues to deliver exceptional levels of quality, efficiency, service and profitability.

Your responsibilities will include:

Developing and executing the overall manufacturing and operational strategy.
Leading production, engineering, maintenance, quality and operational support teams.
Driving improvements in OEE, productivity, capacity and cost efficiency.
Developing and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
Leading manufacturing investment, automation and technology programmes.
Ensuring production schedules and customer commitments are consistently achieved.
Working closely with procurement and supply chain teams to strengthen operational performance.
Maintaining the highest standards of quality, health & safety and regulatory compliance.
Identifying opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste and increase manufacturing capacity.
Developing, coaching and motivating senior and operational teams.
Managing operational budgets and capital expenditure programmes.
Providing clear performance reporting and strategic recommendations to the Board.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a commercially minded manufacturing leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on operational expertise.

You will ideally have:

Significant senior leadership experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
A proven track record of improving manufacturing performance and operational efficiency.
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams across production, engineering and quality.
Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Experience delivering automation, capital investment or manufacturing transformation projects.
Strong commercial and financial understanding.
Experience managing budgets and capital expenditure.
Excellent people leadership and stakeholder management skills.
The confidence to challenge existing processes and introduce new ways of working.
A results-driven approach with a genuine passion for developing people and performance.

Qualifications

A degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Relevant senior-level manufacturing experience will be considered alongside formal qualifications.

What's on Offer?

Competitive senior-level salary and benefits package
Leadership position with significant autonomy
Opportunity to influence long-term manufacturing strategy
Investment in technology, automation and infrastructure
Career development and progression
Collaborative senior leadership environment
Opportunity to lead a significant operational transformation programme

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to take a high-impact leadership position within an ambitious manufacturing business, where your decisions will directly influence productivity, growth, investment and future success.

If you're an experienced manufacturing or operations leader looking for your next challenge in Luton, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

About Company

Our client is a successful UK manufacturer supplying high-quality engineered products to customers across multiple international markets.

The business combines established manufacturing expertise with a strong focus on innovation, automation, quality and operational efficiency.

With further investment planned across its people, technology and production capabilities, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader to make a visible impact and help shape the organisation’s future.

Operations

Luton

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