Operations Manager – (UK Manufacturer)
Location: Surrey
Salary: £60,000–£75,000 doe + benefits
Employment: Full-time, permanent
Why This Role Matters
This is your chance to step into a pivotal leadership role within one of the UK’s most innovative and fast-growing manufacturers in the life-safety sector. They design and manufactures ventilation systems that protect thousands of people in high-rise residential, commercial, and public buildings across the UK.
As Operations Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind production, warehouse operations, logistics, and quality assurance, ensuring that life-saving products are manufactured, tested, and delivered with precision, speed, and absolute compliance.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, technical manufacturing environment and love building high-performing teams, this is the role that will elevate your career.

What You’ll Be Doing
*Leading day-to-day manufacturing and assembly operations, ensuring efficient production flow
*Managing the warehouse, including goods-in, stock control, pick/pack, and dispatch
*Overseeing logistics and delivery scheduling, ensuring fast and reliable customer fulfilment
*Implementing and improving quality assurance processes for safety-critical products
*Working closely with engineering, sales, and technical teams to align production with demand
*Driving continuous improvement, lean processes, and operational efficiency
*Ensuring compliance with relevant standards (e.g., EN 12101, BS 9991)
*Managing and developing production, warehouse, and logistics staff
*Reporting on KPIs, capacity planning, and operational performance
Requirements
Who We’re Looking For
A confident, hands-on leader who understands the unique demands of manufacturing technical, safety-critical products. Someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
Essential Skills & Experience
*Proven experience as an Operations Manager, Production Manager, or Manufacturing Manager
*Background in manufacturing, engineering, HVAC, building services, mechanical/electrical assembly, or life-safety systems
*Strong understanding of warehouse operations, stock control, and logistics
*Experience implementing lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methodologies
*Excellent people-management skills — able to motivate, coach, and develop teams
*Strong understanding of quality assurance and compliance processes
*Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment
*Confident communicator who can work cross-functionally with technical and commercial teams

Highly Desirable
*Experience in smoke ventilation, fire safety, mechanical extract systems, or building compliance
*Knowledge of EN 12101, BS 9991, or similar regulatory frameworks
*Experience scaling operations in a growing manufacturing business

Sector Experience That Fits Best
Candidates from the following sectors tend to excel in this environment:
*HVAC or M&E manufacturing
*Building services equipment
*Electrical or mechanical assembly
*Industrial ventilation or air-movement systems
*Safety-critical product manufacturing
*Modular plantroom or packaged plant manufacturing
Benefits
Benefits:
*Growth Bonus – share in the company’s success
*Free on-site parking
*Free lunch provided daily
*20 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
*Option to purchase up to 5 additional holiday days
*Your birthday off
*Early finish every other Friday (2 hours earlier)
*Competitive salary


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