Job Description:

Operations Manager - Manufacturing / Production

Upto £80,000 + Bonus

Sidcup, Kent

7am-4pm

Are you an experienced, Hands on Operations Manager with a strong manufacturing or production background?

Are you ready to take ownership of a busy production operation, lead a high-performing team and make a genuine impact on productivity, quality, efficiency and profitability?

We are recruiting for an established and growing specialist manufacturing business seeking an experienced Operations Manager to take overall responsibility for its Sidcup operation.

This is a production-led leadership role, not a traditional warehouse position. You'll be responsible for driving performance across production, planning, quality, warehouse, logistics and HSE, while developing a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

The Role

As Operations Manager, you'll be the senior operational leader on site, ensuring the business delivers safely, efficiently, cost-effectively and to the required quality standards.

You will:

• Lead and develop managers, supervisors, team leaders and wider operational teams.
• Take ownership of end-to-end production performance, ensuring plans are achieved safely, efficiently and on time.
• Drive improvements in productivity, output, OEE, labour efficiency, quality and OTIF.
• Own production planning, scheduling, capacity and resource requirements.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste and inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen and root cause analysis.
• Establish and monitor meaningful operational KPIs, using data to drive performance.
• Ensure products consistently meet customer and quality requirements.
• Maintain and develop the Quality Management System, including corrective and preventative actions.
• Take overall responsibility for HSE, risk management and developing a strong safety culture.
• Ensure warehouse and logistics activities effectively support production.
• Manage operational budgets and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve profitability.
• Work closely with Commercial, Procurement and Customer Service to align production with customer demand.
• Provide clear operational reporting and insight to senior management.
• Build a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement.

About You

We're looking for an Operations Manager who has genuinely led manufacturing or production operations and understands the challenges of running a busy site.

You may currently be an:

Operations Manager | Manufacturing Manager | Production Manager | Senior Production Manager | Factory Manager

You'll ideally have:

• Proven senior management experience within manufacturing, production, FMCG, engineering or a similar environment.
• Strong experience across production planning, scheduling, capacity and resource management.
• A proven track record of improving productivity, efficiency, quality and operational costs.
• Experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Practical experience of Lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, RCA or similar improvement methodologies.
• Experience with ISO 9001 / Quality Management Systems and CAPA would be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of UK HSE requirements and manufacturing safety standards.
• Experience managing budgets and operational costs.
• Good knowledge of ERP/MRP/WMS systems and KPI reporting.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• A hands-on and pragmatic approach - you're comfortable getting onto the shop floor, understanding problems and making things happen.
• NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent would be advantageous.
• Relevant degree or equivalent operational experience.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a successful and growing specialist manufacturing business where you will have genuine ownership and influence.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of the overall site operation.
• Deliver production strategy and operational performance.
• Develop a high-performing team.
• Lead meaningful continuous improvement initiatives.
• Influence quality, cost, productivity and customer delivery.
• Work closely with senior leadership.
• Make changes that have a visible and measurable impact on the business.

This is not a role where you'll simply maintain the status quo. The business is looking for someone who can lead, challenge, improve and deliver.

Package
£70,000 - £80,000 basic salary
Bonus
25 days' holiday + bank holidays
10% matched pension
Free food & drink
Free EV charging
Monday-Friday, 7:00am-4:00pm
Senior leadership position with genuine operational ownership
Interested?

If you're an experienced Operations, Manufacturing or Production Manager looking for a role where you can take real ownership and make a measurable difference, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply now for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.