Overview
The Operations Director will provide strategic leadership across all manufacturing, production, and operational functions of the business within a defence engineering environment. This is a senior executive role responsible for driving world-class manufacturing performance, scaling the business’s premises and resources in line with programme and contract growth, and delivering innovative solutions through the evaluation of advanced materials processes and manufacturing suited to defence and security applications.
The post holder will play a pivotal role in winning new business and securing repeat contracts by collaborating with the compilation of high-quality, competitive bid submissions, overseeing the testing and systems integration of delivered solutions, and building strong, trusted relationships with clients. They will be ultimately accountable for on-time delivery, quality, health and safety compliance, testing and client satisfaction across all operations and facilities management.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Defence Manufacturing Excellence
Provide strategic direction for all manufacturing and production operations, setting clear objectives aligned with the company’s growth strategy.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to achieve world-class manufacturing standards appropriate to defence programmes, reducing waste, cycle times, and production costs.
Research, evaluate, manufacturing processes, and technologies relevant to defence applications to maintain competitive advantage and meet evolving MOD and prime contractor requirements.
Develop and execute a scalable operations roadmap, including capacity planning, equipment investment, and facilities expansion to accommodate programme growth.
Lead the strategic assessment and acquisition of premises and resources to support increased production demand across defence contracts.
Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with relevant defence standards and specifications including DEF STAN, AQAP, and NATO standards where applicable.
2. Bidding, Costing & Engineering Support
Work closely with the Engineering team to compile world-class bid submissions that are competitive in both commercial pricing and technical solution quality for MOD, prime contractor, and allied defence client opportunities.
Lead the compile operational input into tender and proposal responses, ensuring manufacturing feasibility, accurate cost modelling, and robust delivery planning in line with defence procurement timescales.
Develop and maintain cost estimation tools and frameworks covering production processes, materials, and resource requirements specific to defence manufacturing programmes.
Provide authoritative guidance during pre-contract negotiations, ITT responses, and client engagement phases.
Act as the operational authority for assessing the manufacturability, scalability, and through-life supportability of proposed solutions throughout the bid lifecycle.
Support the development of Through Life Cost (TLC) and whole-life value models for long-term defence and security contracts. Including GO-CO support models for maintenance and operational demand.
3. Test, Evaluation & Systems Integration
Implementing and recording the test and evaluation process and for all manufactured solutions.
Establish and manage with Engineering a structured systems integration capability, overseeing the integration of complex sub-systems and assemblies into complete defence solutions prior to client delivery
Implement integration, test, and acceptance plans in collaboration with engineering and client stakeholders, ensuring full traceability against requirements.
Manage factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT) processes, coordinating client witness activities and resolving technical queries in a timely manner.
Oversee non-conformance management, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes to ensure defects are identified, contained, and eliminated.
Build and maintain an in-house test and evaluation capability, investing in appropriate equipment, facilities, and skilled personnel to support programme requirements.
Champion a culture of right-first-time integration and test, minimising rework, programme delays, and cost overruns.
4. Client Engagement & Repeat Business
Act as a senior operational point of contact for defence clients, building trusted, long-term relationships at programme, technical levels.
Lead internal operations loading activities, working proactively to understand their companies forward pipeline, evolving requirements, and capacity needs to position the business for repeat and follow-on contracts.
Conduct regular programme reviews and operational performance briefings with internal and external clients, demonstrating delivery confidence and continuous improvement.
Identify and develop upsell and cross-sell opportunities within the existing client base, working with the commercial team to convert operational relationships into new revenue.
Ensure client satisfaction is actively monitored and managed, responding to feedback promptly and professionally to protect and grow the company’s reputation as a trusted defence supplier.
Support the development of long-term framework agreements and strategic partnerships with key defence primes and government customers.
5. Delivery & Supply Chain Accountability
Take joint accountability with the Head of Delivery for all on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery performance across contracts, recognising the programme-critical nature of delivery in this sector.
Establish and manage production scheduling systems that provide clear visibility of order progress, capacity utilisation, and delivery commitments across all active programmes.
Develop and maintain a robust, vetted defence supply chain, ensuring suppliers meet security, quality, and delivery requirements commensurate with programme classification.
Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks that may impact delivery schedules, product integrity, or programme milestones.
Report on delivery performance metrics to the Board and to clients, implementing corrective actions and recovery plans where required.
6. Health, Safety & Compliance
Hold ultimate operational accountability for health, safety, and environmental (HSE) compliance across all manufacturing and integration sites and activities.
Ensure a safe working environment that meets and exceeds all statutory UK health and safety obligations, including risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), and incident management.
Implement and maintain HSE management systems aligned with end-client requirements, site security protocols, and defence establishment rules where applicable.
Lead a proactive safety culture, ensuring regular safety audits, toolbox talks, and workforce engagement on HSE matters.
Liaise directly with defence clients and MOD representatives on all health, safety, and quality compliance matters including client audits, Government Quality Assurance (GQA) inspections, and site visits.
7. People, Culture & Resource Management
Lead, inspire, and develop the operations, manufacturing, integration, and test teams, fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Define resource requirements and work with HR to recruit, retain, and develop talent — including personnel with the appropriate security clearance levels — in line with business and programme growth plans.
Provide mentorship and succession planning for key operational and technical roles.
Manage departmental budgets, operational expenditure, and capital investment in line with agreed financial targets and programme requirements.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
Demonstrable track record in a senior operations, manufacturing, or engineering leadership role within the UK defence or highly regulated engineering sector.
Proven experience working within an ISO 9001 certified organisation with strong working knowledge of quality management system requirements.
Significant experience leading the development of complex defence bids, proposals, or contracts including cost modelling and solution design for MOD or prime contractor customers.
Strong understanding of defence manufacturing processes, materials, systems integration, and test and evaluation methodologies.
Experience managing factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and client witness activities.
Proven ability to build and sustain strong client relationships within a defence environment.
Experience leading health and safety compliance in a manufacturing environment, with working knowledge of UK HSE legislation and defence site requirements.
Experience in scaling manufacturing operations at pace, including premises, equipment, and workforce planning.
Current SC Security Clearance or the ability and willingness to obtain it.
Desirable Qualifications
Degree or higher qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, Operations Management, or a
NEBOSH Certificate or Diploma in Health & Safety, or equivalent or willingness to achieve.
Familiarity with AQAP 2110/2310, DEF STAN 05-061, or equivalent defence quality standards.
Experience with CADMID or CADMIT programme lifecycle management.
Key Competencies
Strategic Vision — Ability to translate defence business strategy into operational plans and deliver measurable results within complex programme environments.
Technical Credibility — Deep engineering, manufacturing, and systems integration knowledge that commands respect from technical teams, clients, and MOD stakeholders.
Commercial Acumen — Strong understanding of cost drivers, margin management, and competitive pricing in a defence manufacturing context.
Client Relationship Management — Skilled at building long-term trust with defence clients and translating relationships into sustained commercial growth.
Leadership — Inspirational leader who builds high-performing, security-cleared teams and drives a culture of excellence and accountability.
Communication — Confident and credible at Board, client, MOD, and shop-floor level.
Decision Making — Evidence-based, pragmatic, and comfortable operating under programme pressure and ambiguity.
Collaboration — Works effectively across engineering, commercial, finance, and delivery functions to achieve shared programme outcomes.
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director, Head of Delivery, Engineering Director.
Eternal: MOD Customers and Programme Offices, Defence Prime Contractors, Tier 2 Suppliers and Subcontractors, Government Quality Assurance (GQA) Representatives, ISO Certification Body, UK HSE, and relevant Industry Bodies (e.g. ADS Group, techUK).
Pay: £53,061.35-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
