Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Location: Derby (Central)

Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 per annum, depending on experience

Benefit: 10% performance-based bonus

Hours: 37 hours per week; Monday to Friday, with an early finish on Fridays

Contract: Permanent; Full-Time

A rare opportunity to join a progressive specialist technology and engineering business redefining its industry.

The HR Guru is recruiting a forward-thinking, experienced and commercially focused Operations Manager on behalf of an innovative technology and engineering business in Derby. The company is a recognised market disruptor, with existing and new-to-market solutions driving record growth. The role becomes available to support the next phase of commercial acceleration, so for a candidate who embraces challenge and opportunity, it's a genuinely exciting time to join.

The role suits an operational leader confident in the day-to-day detail of a business, while equally able to shape its longer-term direction and growth. If this sounds like where you could do your best work, we want to hear from you.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Operations Manager will lead the business's operational functions, bringing teams together around clear priorities, standards and performance expectations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing and delivering operational plans aligned with strategy set by the MD and Senior Leadership Team.
• Providing day-to-day leadership across production, supply chain, Health and Safety, and HR.
• Working closely with the MD and senior leaders, providing operational insight, updates and recommendations.
• Seeking to exceed KPIs for efficiency and performance.
• Developing a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Supporting the development and implementation of operational frameworks, policies, standards and best practice.
• Coordinating workforce planning, resourcing and capacity modelling for current and future business needs.
• Ensuring robust governance and compliance, particularly legal, regulatory and Health and Safety requirements.
• Managing operational budgets within agreed parameters, including financial planning, cost control and value optimisation.
• Monitoring operational performance through KPIs, data analysis and reporting.
• Identifying opportunities to increase productivity, reduce costs and improve service delivery.
• Leading transformation and change initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability and resilience.
• Building strong relationships with employees, clients, suppliers and external partners.
• Keeping operational records and documentation accurate, clear and to a high standard.
• Owning agreed actions and ensuring deadlines and business priorities are met.

About You

You're comfortable working across multiple functions, making informed decisions and holding yourself and others accountable for delivery. You thrive on progress and stay on the front foot.

Essential Experience:

• Significant operational management experience in engineering, manufacturing or a similarly technical environment.
• Experience leading multiple operational functions, ideally production, supply chain, Health and Safety or people management.
• A strong understanding of operational governance, safety management and regulatory compliance.
• Experience implementing plans and translating strategy into practical action.
• A track record of improving operational performance, efficiency, productivity or service delivery.
• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs and identifying value opportunities.
• Confidence using KPIs and management information to support decision-making.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to set clear expectations and build accountability.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, working effectively at all levels.
• A practical, proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience within rail, transportation, defence, infrastructure or specialist engineering sectors.
• Experience working as part of a Senior Leadership Team.
• Experience supporting a growing business through operational change or transformation.
• Knowledge of capacity planning, workforce planning and operational resource modelling.
• Experience developing or implementing operational frameworks, policies and standardised processes.
• A relevant operational, engineering, manufacturing or management qualification.

What's In It For You:

• £50,000 – £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• A 10% bonus opportunity.
• A 37-hour week, Monday to Friday, with a Friday lunchtime finish.
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.
• A seat on the Senior Leadership Team, influencing the business's future direction.
• A broad role with genuine ownership across the organisation's core operations.
• The chance to support the continued growth of an established engineering business.

All applications are treated confidentially and managed by The HR Guru on behalf of our client