Are you a manufacturing leader with a strong understanding of Aerospace or precision machining, ready to take on Head of Operations responsibility and build towards a broader executive operations role?
RPS are leading a retained search for a Head of Operations to lead operational improvement within an international precision manufacturing group. Working in a high-mix, low-volume environment where CNC machining is a core process, you will take ownership of business performance at a key European site (2 weeks travel per month)
The initial assignment will require substantial time at a European manufacturing operation. Can be based anywhere in the UK for the first two years but future progression to executive level could mean relocation to their Summerset facility.
As Head of Operations, you will lead across production, engineering, quality and supply chain, improving productivity, profitability and operational performance.
We’re looking for someone who can move confidently between the shop floor and the financial detail. You will understand machining capacity, equipment utilisation and manufacturing costs, challenge established assumptions and turn improvement plans into measurable results.
As Head of Operations, your responsibilities will include:
- Leading operational performance across a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
- Improving productivity, efficiency and gross-margin delivery.
- Strengthening value stream management across manufacturing and supporting functions.
- Reviewing machining capacity, equipment utilisation and make-versus-buy decisions.
- Improving costing, operational reporting and accountability.
- Reducing rework and strengthening engineering-to-production handovers.
- Developing the leadership team and delivering sustainable change.
- Working with international colleagues to improve business performance.
You could be an established Head of Operations, Plant Manager or Operations Director, or a manufacturing leader ready to step into a broader role. This role has longevity and a career path that could take you all the way to C-Suite in a world-wide manufacturing business.
You will bring:
- A strong record of career progression and increasing responsibility.
- Leadership experience in precision manufacturing or Aerospace manufacturing
- Enough technical understanding to challenge capacity and equipment decisions and establish shop-floor credibility.
- Evidence of measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency or profitability.
- Financial understanding covering cost, margin and working capital.
- Experience leading across functions, ideally with value stream responsibility.
- The confidence to challenge established practices, make decisions and bring people through change.
- The ambition and potential to progress into executive operations leadership.
Experience in aerospace, defence or other specialist manufacturing sectors would be advantageous. Previous operational transformation or international manufacturing experience would also be valuable, but is not essential.
Why consider this opportunity?
This permanent appointment offers meaningful operational ownership, international exposure and the opportunity to influence how a manufacturing business operates.
Longer-term progression towards a broader executive operations leadership role in the UK is central to the opportunity, subject to performance and business needs.
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