Job Description:

Operations Manager – Coatings / Manufacturing

Location: Kettering
Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 per annum + quarterly performance bonuses of £3,000 – £5,000 per quarter, depending on personal and company performance
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

An established specialist coatings manufacturer is looking to appoint an experienced Operations Manager to support the continued development, performance and future leadership of the business.

This position would suit a commercially aware, hands-on operations professional with a strong background in manufacturing, production management and team leadership. Experience gained within industrial coatings, powder coating, surface treatment, finishing, paint, chemicals, materials processing or a closely related manufacturing environment would be particularly relevant.

The business is entering an important stage in its long-term planning, and this role offers more than a standard Operations Manager position. The successful applicant will be developed into a key senior figure within the company, with a realistic route towards Director / Board-level responsibility over the next few years.

The Role

You will take responsibility for the smooth running of operational activity across the site, ensuring production, people, processes and resources are aligned to meet customer demand and business targets.

This will include leading teams, improving operational performance, supporting production planning, managing site resources and ensuring the business continues to operate efficiently, safely and commercially.

Main Duties

• Lead daily operational activity across a specialist coatings manufacturing site.

• Manage production output, workflow, planning, stock, purchasing, facilities and logistics.

• Support and develop supervisors, team leaders and wider operational staff.

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, quality and cost control.

• Ensure customer requirements, production schedules and internal targets are consistently met.

• Work closely with senior leadership on operational strategy and future business planning.

• Maintain strong standards around health & safety, compliance, quality and process control.

• Help shape the operational structure of the business as part of a planned succession strategy.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Operations Manager, Production Manager or Manufacturing Manager who is comfortable operating in a practical, fast-paced and technically led environment.

You will need to demonstrate:

• Extensive proven experience in production, manufacturing or operations management.

• A strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production flow and operational planning.

• Previous experience managing teams within a factory, production or process-led environment.

• A degree in Engineering or a relevant technical discipline.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to bring structure, accountability and improvement.

• Good commercial awareness and the confidence to report at senior management / Board level.

• A proactive, problem-solving approach with the ability to make decisions and drive change.

• Practical mechanical and/or electrical knowledge would be advantageous.

• Experience in coatings, surface finishing, paint, powder coating, chemical processing or similar would be highly desirable.

What’s on Offer

This is a genuine long-term career opportunity within a stable and well-established coatings business.

The package includes:

• £60,000 – £70,000 basic salary

• Quarterly performance bonuses of £3,000 – £5,000 per quarter, depending on personal and company performance

• 4% company pension contribution

• Clear progression route into senior leadership

• Opportunity to influence the future direction of the business

• Supportive, established and technically focused working environment

This role is best suited to someone ambitious, operationally strong and ready to step into a position with real long-term responsibility.