We are seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to join a growing manufacturing business at an exciting stage of its development. Reporting directly to the COO, this is a pivotal leadership role with full responsibility for operational performance across manufacturing, production, planning, logistics, yard operations, quality, and delivery.
This is an opportunity for a proven operational leader to take ownership of a complex manufacturing environment, drive operational excellence, and play a key role in scaling the business for future growth.
As Head of Operations, you will lead the end-to-end manufacturing function, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable operations while delivering outstanding customer performance. You will be responsible for developing operational capability, increasing manufacturing capacity, improving productivity, and embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will influence strategic decisions around investment, operational infrastructure, workforce planning, automation, and future growth initiatives.
- Lead all manufacturing and operational activities, including production, fabrication, assembly, planning, logistics, dispatch, and yard operations.
- Drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth and scalability.
- Oversee production planning and capacity management to ensure customer commitments are consistently achieved.
- Improve OTIF performance, labour utilisation, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across processes, systems, workflows, and operational governance.
- Support investment decisions relating to facilities, equipment, technology, and automation.
- Build, develop, and lead high-performing operational management teams.
- Partner with commercial, project, procurement, quality, and HSE teams to deliver operational excellence across the business.
- Establish robust KPI reporting, performance management, and operational accountability frameworks.
We are looking for a highly accomplished manufacturing leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to operational leadership.
You will bring:
- Significant experience operating at Head of Operations, Operations Director, or equivalent senior leadership level.
- A strong background within steel fabrication, engineering, heavy manufacturing, or similarly complex industrial environments.
- Proven success managing end-to-end manufacturing operations and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality, and delivery performance.
- Expertise in production planning, operational strategy, workforce planning, and capacity management.
- Experience leading business transformation, operational improvement, and growth initiatives.
- Strong commercial awareness with a track record of improving profitability and operational performance.
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build high-performing teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems to drive operational visibility, reporting, and decision-making.
This is a rare opportunity to join a business with ambitious growth plans and play a key role in shaping its operational future. You will have the autonomy to make a genuine impact, influence strategic direction, and build an operational platform capable of supporting significant expansion.
If you are a driven manufacturing leader with a passion for operational excellence and a track record of delivering results, we would love to hear from you.
