Full job descriptionOperations Manager
Location: West Yorkshire
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 + 10% bonus + car + benefits

Are you the operational game-changer who isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves, challenge the status quo, and lead real transformation from the factory floor up?
We’re working with a fiercely independent, engineering-led manufacturer supporting major civil and structural engineering projects across the UK. Having built a reputation for resilience - they now need a fresh pair of hands to drive the next wave of evolution. This is not a business stuck in its ways - it’s a business ready for change.

The production operation needs a leader to take it apart, understand what’s working (and what’s not), and rebuild it smarter, leaner, and stronger.

You’ll be stepping into a pivotal role where the foundations of improvement have been laid. Now, production is your mission focusing on opportunities to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and introduce clear training plans, processes, and people performance strategies that stick. This is about more than savings - it’s about building something better through better efficiencies, ways of working, and reducing material costs.

What you’ll do:
1. Manage daily factory and warehouse operations to meet production targets
2. Lead and develop the production team, including recruitment and training
3. Maintain health & safety, quality, and cleanliness standards across the site
4. Ensure stock levels, material planning, and machine uptime are aligned to the JIT schedule
5. Improve processes, reduce waste, and identify cost-saving opportunities
6. Support wider business goals as part of the senior leadership team
7. Oversee facilities, security, and site operations

What we’re looking for:
1. Strong operations/production leadership background
2. Previous extrusion experience would be advantageous
3. Experience managing people, processes, and materials in a manufacturing setting
4. Hands-on approach with a focus on continuous improvement
5. Knowledge of health & safety and quality systems (ISO9001, CE Marking etc.)
6. Confident working in a change environment and engaging with all levels of staff
7. Previous change management or transformation experience would be ideal

Qualifications
1. HND or equivalent in Production, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering
2. Health & Safety qualifications or training

Personal Qualities
1. Clear and confident communicator at all levels
2. Strong motivator and team leader
3. Ambitious and driven to improve operations and build a high-performing team
4. Collaborative, approachable, and hands-on

Package:
£55,000 - £60,000 salary
10% bonus based on KPIs
Company car
24 days holiday + bank holidays
Workplace pension & enhanced sick pay

If you’re a hands-on, engaging leader with the grit to challenge engrained habits, the curiosity to explore better ways of working, and the credibility to influence shop floor to boardroom - we want to hear from you.