Job Description:

Operations Manager – Precision Engineering / Manufacturing
Sittingbourne, Kent
£60,000 – £65,000 + benefits with room for growth

Contact: Emily or Sammy at Pearson Whiffin Recruitment

Are you an experienced Operations Manager with a strong engineering and manufacturing background, proven people leadership skills and a track record of driving operational change?

Do you enjoy improving manufacturing performance, introducing better reporting and KPI visibility, and working collaboratively with senior leadership to modernise operations and increase efficiency?

We are recruiting exclusively for a well-established and growing precision engineering manufacturer seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations at their Kent facility.

This is a highly influential role, working closely alongside the General Manager to strengthen operational performance, improve processes and help support the next phase of growth for the business.

The environment is heavily manufacturing-focused and relatively manual in nature, so this role would suit someone with a strong technical and engineering understanding who can combine hands-on operational credibility with strategic leadership and continuous improvement expertise.

The successful candidate will be confident managing people, performance and change, whilst maintaining a collaborative and approachable leadership style.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing operational teams across production and manufacturing
• Working closely with the General Manager to improve operational performance and site capability
• Implementing and driving meaningful KPI reporting, monitoring and accountability across the business
• Introducing and improving reporting tools, operational visibility and performance tracking
• Leading change management initiatives and driving a culture of continuous improvement
• Improving efficiencies, workflow and operational processes within a largely manual manufacturing environment
• Supporting production planning, capacity management and resource allocation
• Coaching, mentoring and developing teams to improve engagement and performance
• Ensuring operational targets relating to quality, cost and delivery are achieved
• Collaborating closely with engineering, quality and leadership teams to support operational excellence

We are keen to speak with candidates who have:

• Proven experience within an Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Production leadership role
• A strong engineering or technical manufacturing background, either through education, qualifications or hands-on industry experience
• Experience within precision engineering, industrial manufacturing or other highly regulated engineering sectors
• Strong examples of successfully implementing operational improvements and managing change
• Experience setting, monitoring and reporting on KPIs and operational metrics
• Strong people management capability with a collaborative, supportive leadership approach
• Experience improving reporting systems, dashboards or operational tracking tools
• A continuous improvement mindset with knowledge of lean manufacturing principles
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality, cost and delivery objectives
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and build credibility across all levels of the business

What’s on offer?

• A senior leadership role with genuine influence and autonomy
• The opportunity to make a visible impact within a growing engineering and manufacturing business
• A collaborative environment where operational improvements and new ideas are encouraged
• Long-term progression opportunities within a larger international group
• £60,000 – £65,000 salary depending on experience

This role is being managed exclusively by Pearson Whiffin Recruitment and will move quickly for the right person.

To find out more, apply with an up to date CV. METPERM