Job Overview

The Head of Operations is responsible for leading the Production and Logistics functions, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective products while driving operational excellence. The role combines strategic leadership, operational performance, people development, and budget accountability to achieve business objectives and exceed customer expectations.

Responsible for developing and executing operational strategies that enhance quality, delivery, efficiency, and cost performance, while fostering a high-performing and engaged team. Provides leadership, coaching, and development for approximately six direct reports across Production and Logistics, creating a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer focus.

Your New Role

• Ensure operational activities comply with all health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, processes, and best practices to enhance overall business performance.
• Lead and prioritise Production and Logistics activities, ensuring seamless integration and alignment between functions.
• Develop capital investment proposals, business cases, cost-saving initiatives, and continuous improvement projects.
• Optimise, stabilise, and continuously improve production processes.
• Optimise, stabilise, and continuously improve logistics processes.
• Identify operational risks and challenges, implementing mitigation plans and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Planning to maximise customer service performance and delivery.
• Embed a customer-focused culture throughout the operations function.
• Drive monthly billing and inventory forecasts, ensuring achievement of site targets.
• Oversee supplier delivery performance and coordinate corrective actions with Procurement when required.
• Partner with Quality teams to implement operational roadmaps, promoting a quality-first culture and zero-defect mindset.
• Drive cost performance through capital investment, working capital optimisation, waste reduction, and Lean continuous improvement initiatives.
• Translate site strategy into measurable operational objectives, KPIs, and performance tracking mechanisms.
• Develop organisational structures, resource plans, and team capability to support business and customer objectives.
• Promote strong cross-functional communication, collaboration, and sharing of best practices.
• Manage and control operational budgets and expenditure.
• Lead training and development initiatives, building a highly skilled, cross-functional operations team through structured skills matrices and capability planning.
• Conduct regular one-to-one performance and development discussions with direct reports and oversee effective people management practices across the wider team.
• Drive 5S workplace organisation standards, targeting world-class operational excellence.
• Prepare and present operational performance reports, ensuring accurate and timely KPI reporting to site leadership.
• Implement and sustain TEOA requirements in partnership with the designated site lead.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments and adopt best practices in manufacturing and logistics operations.
• Ensure compliance with all company health and safety requirements and relevant legislation.
• Benchmark operational performance against internal and external organisations to identify and implement best practices.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives, improving engagement scores through targeted action plans and team development activities.
• Deputise for the Plant Manager during periods of absence or when off-site.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required to support business objectives.