Factory jobs in United Kingdom

Recruiter: Jonathan Lee Recruitment
Location: Hereford
Salary: Competitive package
Application date: 19th Jan 2026

In support of a firmly established family-owned SME hydraulic cylinder manufacturing company in Hereford, we are seeking a NEW Operations Director to work in partnership with the Managing Director and support the continued development of their operational focus, personnel and performance. This is a site-based role.

As Operations Director, you will play a significant role in delivering the organisations mission and vision by ensuring that the operational functions of the business run safely, efficiently and effectively. You will be responsible for translating the Managing Director’s strategic direction into clear operational plans, priorities and performance expectations that enable the business to achieve sustainable growth, strong delivery performance and long‑term stability. In addition, the Operations Director will ensure that operational activities, investment decisions and performance outcomes directly support the company’s vision of being a reliable, high‑quality technical manufacturer.

The Operations Director is responsible for the overall performance, capability and further development of the operational functions – including Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning and Continuous Improvement. The role ensures that the business operates safely, efficiently and profitably in line with strategic objectives, while building the operational structure, processes, and leadership capability required for sustainable growth.

The Operations Director provides senior leadership to the operations team, ensuring clarity, accountability and alignment. They will drive on‑time delivery, productivity, quality, cost control and operational improvement, while ensuring the business has the planning, resources and capability to meet customer expectations. As Operations Director, you will ensure that Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, CI and Planning work together cohesively – communicate effectively.

You are responsible for:

• Driving cross‑functional alignment and preventing silo working
• Ensuring teams understand shared goals and prioritiesli>
• Creating a positive environment where individuals and departments contribute openly
• Working closely with the Managing Director to support company‑wide coherence

The Operations Director supports the delivery of strategic objectives by:

• Translating strategy into clear operational actions
• Ensuring operational performance enables commercial and customer commitments
• Leading capability, capacity, and process improvement initiatives
• Building strong teams and clear accountability across operations
• Supporting investment decisions through analysis, planning, and execution
• You will ensure that operational performance resources and structure align with the broader business goals set

We expect your skill set to encompass a mix of knowledge, exposure and behaviours that role model the organisations Vison and Values. Specifically, this role will need the following knowledge and skills:

• Proven senior leadership experience in operations within manufacturing or engineering.
• Strong understanding of machining, welding, assembly and where possible, hydraulic cylinder manufacturing processes.
• Solid planning capability – production scheduling, capacity planning, workflow, and resource allocation.
• Experience in leading and developing managers across Production, Engineering, Supply Chain and CI.
• Have proven ability to drive operational excellence using Lean, CI and problem‑solving methodologies.
• Financial awareness: labour efficiency, material usage, margins, cost control and budgeting.
• Excellent communication skills – able to collaborate across departments and influence action.
• Strong decision‑making skills with the resilience to manage operational pressure and competing priorities.
• Experience implementing systems, processes and structure to stabilise and scale operations.
• Ability to translate strategy into executable operational plans.

Alongside your proven and relating leadership skills, you should also have:

• Degree / HND in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Production Engineering (or similar)
• Leadership or management qualification (ILM Level 5+ or CMI)
• Training in operational planning, capacity modelling or factory flow
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH certification (desirable)