Operations Director

Job Elements: -

• This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and forward thinking Operations Director to join the Board of Directors of an innovative, rapidly growing manufacturing organisation based in South Wales.
• This is a Board level role and will involve working closely with the other Board members whilst answering to the Managing Director.
• You will be responsible for developing the Operational Strategy in line with the overall business strategy as well as coordinating all aspects of operations from order entry through to product delivery and installation to ensure that customer expectations are exceeded at every opportunity. This will include working with your managers to: -
o Develop Departmental Strategies in line with Operational and Business strategies
o Oversee Operational expenditure and Departmental budgets
o Undertake workforce planning and development to ensure you have the right skills and personnel to fulfil the Operational Strategy.
• You will be responsible for integrating and coordinating all operational departments, from Customer Services, Materials and Planning, Production, through to Transportation and Installation and leading and developing a programme of operational change and performance improvement based on an open, accountable and empowered culture that delivers exceptional customer service.

Role Specific Tasks: -

• Plan, develop and implement strategy for global ‘Operations’ so as to meet agreed organisational performance plans within agreed budgets and timescales;
• Define and implement key performance indicators for overall Operations and for each area within Operations to ensure departmental goals are being met. Analyse variances and initiate corrective actions;
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the Operations from order receipt through to delivery and installation to fulfil our customers’ needs & expectations in the most profitable way;
• Ensure staffing levels, production support costs and overhead expenditures are managed in line with agreed budgets and to optimise profitability whilst maintaining and improving customer service levels.
• Establish, develop, lead and motivate a world class team across all operational disciplines (encompassing order entry, material control, production planning, planning, distribution and installation), driving performance, process rigour, and a continuous improvement mind set across Operational areas.
• Use critical thinking skills and leadership ability to make and implement effective operational decisions;
• Ensure Management Team are accountable for their areas of responsibility in terms of daily, weekly and monthly targets;
• In conjunction with HR, develop a succession strategy throughout Operations.

The ideal candidate will have:

• You will be of graduate calibre (probably manufacturing, engineering, business or operations related field) and will have had extensive experience at Director level in either an Operational or COO role. It is anticipated that this experience will include time spent in automotive, electronics or similar industry.
• You will have experience of working within a fast growing manufacturing environment with, ideally, experience of international expansion as you will be evaluating and working closely with manufacturing partners overseas.
• You will be commercially orientated, able to think strategically, provide leadership and direction to your managers and, most importantly, have a proven track record of making a difference and driving business performance.
• You will have excellent interpersonal skills and will be able to successfully deliver change management programs to improve efficiencies throughout all areas of Operations.
• You must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally as required to meet company objectives.
• The scale and commitment for this role will require a domestic location in South Wales.