JC193 - Operations Director 
Location – Daventry
Salary – £Competitive

Overview:

First Military Recruitment is working in partnership with our reputable client who is seeking an Operations Director to join their team.

My client is a growing Tyre and Wheel fitting business, committed to providing top-quality products and exceptional service to their customers. They are now on a journey to reshape its culture to align with their core values of Quality, Excellence, Credibility, Enthusiasm, Positivity, Family, and Professional Teamwork.

To help them achieve these goals, we are seeking a highly skilled and driven Operations Director to lead their transformation efforts and elevate their operations to new heights.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess and redesign the layout of their warehouse and production areas to maximise space utilisation and improve workflow efficiency.
• Address the current issues of small team operations, fostering collaboration among larger teams to boost productivity and reduce the need for additional headcount.
• Transform the existing culture, empowering middle management to take ownership and accountability for their roles. Eliminate the “bare minimum” mindset and replace it with a proactive, solutions-driven approach.
• Drive a positive, can-do attitude across all levels of the organisation, fostering a sense of pride and excellence in everything they do.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive training program focused on enhancing the skills of supervisors and staff, particularly in the operation and maintenance of automated machinery.
• Ensure a smooth transition to automated processes, providing ongoing support and guidance to achieve operational excellence.
• Evaluate existing processes and procedures, particularly in areas where we lack robust systems, despite being ISO9001 approved. Expand and refine these processes to ensure consistency and quality across the business.
• Oversee the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) and ensure it is correctly implemented and adhered to, improving our product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness. Regularly analyse data, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and identifying training needs to support continuous staff development.
• Work closely with the finance department to manage the operations budget, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Maintain strict oversight of expenses, ensuring that all operational activities align with financial objectives.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, conducting regular audits and swiftly addressing any identified risks.
• Foster a culture of safety, making it a core value in all operational activities.

Immediate Challenges:

• Redesign the warehouse and production space for optimal efficiency.
• Shift the culture from one of minimal effort to proactive engagement and accountability.
• Streamline and standardise processes across the business to ensure consistency and quality.
• Improve team collaboration to enhance productivity without increasing headcount.
• Define and review the needs and challenges of warehouse and logistics as well as automated and manual production.

Skills and Qualifications:

My client is looking for a seasoned Operations Director with a proven track record of leading business transformations, ideally in a manufacturing or production environment. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with the ability to roll up their sleeves and tackle operational challenges head-on. You should be an inspiring leader who can foster a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability.

In return our client offers:

• Competitive salary.
• Company Pension.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• On-time attendance bonus.