Jobs in Whickham

Job Title: Operations Director

Location: North East

Salary: Well above market average

Benefits:

* Board-level position

* Car Allowance

* Private Healthcare

* Performance-driven bonus based on individual and company performance

The Company:

Our client is a highly successful and internationally recognised manufacturing and technology business operating within a regulated environment. Backed by a global group, the company combines the stability and investment of an international organisation with the agility, innovation, and culture of a forward-thinking business. With continued growth, ambitious strategic plans, and significant investment across operations and technology, they are now looking to appoint an experienced Operations Director to join the senior leadership team in a key board-level position. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a business with a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and operational excellence, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping future growth and driving transformational change across the organisation.

Job Description:

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Operations Director will lead the development and execution of the global operations strategy across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, logistics, engineering, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence across all areas of the business, ensuring high standards of safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance, whilst leading strategic transformation initiatives focused on lean manufacturing, automation, and digitalisation. This role requires a commercially aware and strategic leader capable of driving business performance, developing high-performing teams, and delivering sustainable operational improvements within a complex manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities include:

* Developing and implementing the operational strategy aligned to business growth objectives

* Leading manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, engineering, quality, and HSE functions

* Driving continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives across the business

* Delivering improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality, and operational performance

* Supporting business transformation projects including automation and process optimisation

* Managing operational budgets and capital investment projects

* Building and developing high-performing operational leadership teams

* Collaborating with board-level stakeholders to support strategic business objectives

* Ensuring compliance with all industry, regulatory, and quality standards

* Driving supply chain resilience and procurement optimisation initiatives

Skills Required:

* Extensive senior leadership experience within manufacturing or a highly regulated environment (chemical very desirable)

* Proven track record of operational transformation and continuous improvement delivery

* Strong experience across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and engineering functions

* Expertise in lean manufacturing and operational excellence methodologies

* Strong commercial and strategic leadership capability

* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

* Experience leading change management and business transformation initiatives

* Inspirational leadership style with the ability to develop and motivate teams

Why Should You Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join a market-leading business during an exciting phase of growth and transformation. You will have the chance to influence business strategy at board level, lead large-scale operational improvement initiatives, and play a key role in shaping the future success of a highly respected organisation