Full job descriptionOperations Manager
*Chesterfield
*£60,000 - £65,000 + Bonus + Excellent Benefits
A leading industrial manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join its Chesterfield site. This is a critical leadership role for a strategic, forward-thinking operator who can drive efficiencies and optimise performance.

Experience working within a manufacturing and/or hazardous environment (e.g. heavy industry, chemicals, engineering, etc.) is required for this position. Applicants without this experience will not be shortlisted.
The client has noted that a willingess to support with night shifts and occasional weekend work is required - not often but a willingess to support with this is essential.

The Role:
Reporting into the General Manager, you will take ownership of the site’s operational performance, focusing on strategic improvement, efficiency gains, and team development.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic & Operational Improvement
*Develop and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and throughput
*Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, driving continuous improvement across all processes
*Analyse performance data and introduce initiatives to reduce cycle times and improve output
*Optimise production processes and ensure best-in-class operational standards
Leadership & Team Development
*Create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
*Get the best out of your team by coaching, mentoring, and driving performance standards
*Work collaboratively with Production and Supervisory teams to raise overall capability
*Identify and develop future talent, supporting succession planning across the site
Performance & Commercial Focus
*Set, track, and improve KPIs including throughput, utilisation, downtime, and quality
*Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives across energy, materials, and processes
*Ensure operational performance supports overall profitability targets
*Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders
Health, Safety & Compliance
*Promote and lead a strong safety-first culture across the site
*Ensure all operations meet Health & Safety and environmental standards
*Conduct regular audits and proactively address risks and behaviours
*Work closely with H&S teams to maintain training, compliance, and reporting standards
About You
*Proven experience in an operations or production leadership role
*A strategic thinker with a track record of improving efficiencies and driving change
*Strong leadership capability with the ability to engage, develop, and maximise team performance
*Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, 6S, Kaizen, etc.)
*Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions
Desirable:
*IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification
*Background in heavy industry or process-driven manufacturing

What’s on Offer
*Salary up to £65,000 (DOE)
*Bonus up to 9%
*25 days holiday + bank holidays
*Share Save Scheme
*Employee Assistance Programme
*On-site Mental Health First Aid support
*Death in Service (3x salary)
*Discounts & savings platform