Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Peterlee

Salary: Competitive

The Company:

Theo James Executive is partnering exclusively with an established and ambitious North East manufacturer to recruit an experienced Operations Manager for its operation in Peterlee. Operating within a technically demanding, quality-critical manufacturing environment, the business has built a strong reputation for engineering and manufacturing excellence while supplying major global customers.

The company is entering an exciting period of development, with significant new product introduction, continued investment in systems and operational capability, and a clear ambition to build scalable, world-class processes capable of supporting future UK and international growth. This is an opportunity for an operational leader to make a genuine impact within a business where decisions can be made quickly, leaders remain close to the operation, and culture, engagement and trust are central to future success.

Job Description:

As Operations Manager, you will become a key member of the senior leadership team, taking ownership across Production and Supply Chain while playing an important role in the wider operational development of the business.

This is not simply a role focused on maintaining existing processes. You will be expected to challenge, improve and develop the operation, creating greater structure, accountability and performance while maintaining the flexibility of an entrepreneurial manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing visible, hands-on leadership across Production and Supply Chain.
• Working closely with the Production Manager and wider leadership team to improve capacity, planning, delivery and overall operational performance.
• Supporting the implementation and optimisation of a new ERP platform, ensuring the system delivers genuine operational value.
• Playing a leading role in significant New Product Introduction activity and ensuring the operation is fully prepared for future programmes.
• Developing and standardising manufacturing and operational processes that can support future growth across the wider group.
• Driving continuous improvement, problem solving and performance management throughout the operation.
• Working collaboratively across Engineering, Quality, Finance, Commercial and Supply Chain.
• Bringing strong commercial judgement to operational decisions.
• Continuing to develop a positive, engaged culture across the shop floor and wider manufacturing team.

Skills Required:

• Strong operational leadership experience within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Significant production leadership experience alongside a strong understanding of Supply Chain, Planning and Materials.
• Experience within Automotive, IATF 16949, Off-Highway, Aerospace, Precision Machining or another technically demanding manufacturing environment.
• A track record of delivering operational improvement and organisational change.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction, systems implementation or wider operational transformation.
• Comfortable operating within an SME-style environment where senior leaders are expected to remain hands-on and work across traditional functional boundaries.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility from the shop floor through to senior leadership.
• A calm, resilient and commercially aware leadership style.
• The ambition and capability to develop alongside a growing organisation and take on greater responsibility over time.

Why Join?

This is a senior operational appointment offering the opportunity to influence how a successful manufacturing business develops through its next stage of growth. You will join at a time of significant investment, new product activity and operational change, giving you the platform to shape processes, develop people and create a scalable manufacturing operation for the future. For an Operations Manager who enjoys being visible within the business, improving performance and leading meaningful change rather than simply maintaining the status quo, this is an opportunity to make a substantial and lasting impact.