Operations Manager

Recruiter: Sierra 57 Consult

Location: South East

Salary: £60,000 to £70,000

Application date: 1st Dec 2025

Working alongside our client, an established and successful injection moulding and tooling manufacturer, we are looking for an Operations Manager to join their established team.

• This position will suit an experienced Production Manager or Operations Manager with good experience within fast‑paced manufacturing environments supported by proven lean manufacturing & right first time initiatives, production flow / control and people management.
• This is a fantastic opportunity for an effective people manager with strong people development skills and the ability to identify how to drive best practice and SOP’s.
• The successful Operations Manager will be responsible for the leadership, motivation and direction of all staff within their area of responsibility.

• In the role of Operations Manager you will proactively lead, develop and mentor the workforce to meet performance KPI’s and production demand.
• You will be responsible for ensuring quality standards are maintained, production downtime is minimized and performance targets are met.
• Maintain a positive and constructive environment ensuring all stakeholder inputs are considered to support credible decision making.
• Drive the creation and implementation of best practice manufacturing vision, strategy and operation.
• Collaborate with other departments to drive the company to deliver the best possible service to our customers.
• Plan and coordinate workloads to meet internal and external project deadlines.
• With a growth mindset challenge conventional methods and embrace new technologies.
• Apply business processes in a manner that is compliant with relevant legislation and regulations, to protect the interests of all group companies, their partners and stakeholders.
• Work closely with the planning and logistics teams to manage material flow, inventory levels and delivery schedules.
• Drive continuous improvement across toolmaking processes and workflow (e.g. 5S Lean principles, process automation).
• Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements in tooling, process and layout to optimise production.
• Ensure full compliance with health & safety regulations promoting a culture of safe working.

• Educated with good Engineering or Manufacturing discipline qualifications.
• Strong technical knowledge of plastic moulding production flow and manufacturing operations.
• Enthusiastic, self‑motivated with ability to work on own initiative.
• Good experience within lean manufacturing tools, i.e. 5S, 5Y, Kaizen.
• Strong leadership and people skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships.
• Good problem‑solving skills and troubleshooting skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset.