Melbreck Technical Recruitment
Operations Manager
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Operations Manager
North Devon | South West England
Salary scaled to experience – up to 17% pension, relocation allowance, and 10% bonus
Want to make a difference?
We’re looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead a manufacturing operation in Devon. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys making things better, developing people, and seeing the results of their work on the factory floor.
You’ll have the opportunity to shape manufacturing, improve our client works, and build a culture where safety, quality, and the customer come first.
Operations Manager - What you’ll be doing:
- Lead the day-to-day operation across two valve production streams, keeping performance, quality, and delivery at the heart of everything.
- Put safety and zero defects at the forefront, continually looking for ways to make the workplace safer and the products better.
- Use Lean principles every day to remove waste, solve problems, and shorten lead times, ensuring customers get what they need, when they need it.
- Help shape the manufacturing strategy and turn business plans into practical action on the shop floor.
- Own and manage the operational budget, making sure they invest wisely while delivering against targets.
- Lead, support, and develop a team of talented people, helping them build their skills, take ownership, and progress their careers.
- Create an environment where people know what’s expected, feel involved, and are proud of the results they achieve.
- Work closely with colleagues across the business to spot opportunities, solve challenges, and keep improving how they operate.
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Operations Manager - What you’ll bring:
We’re looking for someone who knows how to lead a manufacturing operation and, just as importantly, knows how to bring people with them.
You’ll ideally have:
- Experience leading an operations or manufacturing team in a fast-moving environment.
- A degree in Engineering, Business, or a related subject. An MBA would be useful, but we’re more interested in what you’ve achieved than what’s written on your CV.
- A proven ability to build, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how operational decisions affect customers and the wider business.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and practical problem-solving.
- A good understanding of manufacturing technology, production systems, and how different parts of an operation fit together.
- A track record of turning ideas and opportunities into measurable improvements.
- The confidence to work with everyone from the shop floor to senior leadership, communicate clearly, and build strong working relationships.
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Operations Manager – What’s on offer:
- Salary scaled to your experience and what you can bring
- 17% pension
- Relocation allowance
- 10% bonus
- Medical cover
- Life assurance
Why this role?
This is a chance to take real ownership of an important manufacturing operation in North Devon, working with a team where your decisions will have a visible impact.
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys solving problems, developing people, and asking “how can we do this better?”, we’d like to hear from you.
Interested? Click APPLY NOW!
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