Operations Manager

Operations Manager • Chesterfield • £60,000 - £65,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits A leading industrial manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join its Chesterfield site. This is a critical leadership role for a strategic, forward-thinking operator who can drive efficiencies and optimise performance. Experience working within a manufacturing and/or hazardous environment (e.g. heavy industry, chemicals, engineering, etc.) is required for this position. Applicants without this experience will not be shortlisted. The client has noted that a willingess to support with night shifts and occasional weekend work is required - not often but a willingess to support with this is essential. The Role: Reporting into the General Manager, you will take ownership of the site's operational performance, focusing on strategic improvement, efficiency gains, and team development. Key Responsibilities: Strategic & Operational Improvement • Develop and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and throughput • Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, driving continuous improvement across all processes • Analyse performance data and introduce initiatives to reduce cycle times and improve output • Optimise production processes and ensure best-in-class operational standards Leadership & Team Development • Create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement • Get the best out of your team by coaching, mentoring, and driving performance standards • Work collaboratively with Production and Supervisory teams to raise overall capability • Identify and develop future talent, supporting succession planning across the site Performance & Commercial Focus • Set, track, and improve KPIs including throughput, utilisation, downtime, and quality • Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives across energy, materials, and processes • Ensure operational performance supports overall profitability targets • Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders Health, Safety & Compliance • Promote and lead a strong safety-first culture across the site • Ensure all operations meet Health & Safety and environmental standards • Conduct regular audits and proactively address risks and behaviours • Work closely with H&S teams to maintain training, compliance, and reporting standards About You • Proven experience in an operations or production leadership role • A strategic thinker with a track record of improving efficiencies and driving change • Strong leadership capability with the ability to engage, develop, and maximise team performance • Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, 6S, Kaizen, etc.) • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions Desirable: • IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification • Background in heavy industry or process-driven manufacturing What's on Offer • Salary up to £65,000 (DOE) • Bonus up to 9% • 25 days holiday + bank holidays • Share Save Scheme • Employee Assistance Programme • On-site Mental Health First Aid support • Death in Service (3x salary) • Discounts & savings platform