Operations Director

A leading organisation in the mechanical manufacturing sector is seeking a Operations Director to oversee and elevate all aspects of their fabrication operations.

This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape production strategies, drive operational excellence, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within a supportive and collaborative environment. As the Operations Director, you will be at the forefront of managing large-scale steel structure projects, ensuring that every process meets the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and safety. The company values your technical expertise and commitment to nurturing talent, providing you with the platform to make a significant impact on both business outcomes and team development. With a focus on lean manufacturing principles and compliance with international standards, this position promises an engaging challenge for those passionate about driving results through people-centric leadership.

• Take charge of end-to-end production management for complex mechanical fabrication projects, ensuring seamless coordination between planning, execution, and delivery while maintaining strict adherence to quality benchmarks.
• Enjoy the autonomy to implement innovative process improvements and lead a skilled workforce in a dynamic environment that prioritises collaboration, professional growth, and knowledge sharing.
• Benefit from working in an organisation committed to upholding global standards such as ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001, where your expertise in compliance and continuous improvement will be highly valued and supported.

What you'll do:

As Operations Director, you will play a central role in orchestrating the entire mechanical fabrication process from initial planning through final assembly. Your day-to-day activities will involve strategic resource preparation—ensuring that manpower, machinery, and materials are always aligned with project demands—and close monitoring of key metrics to identify opportunities for operational enhancement. You will work collaboratively with other departments to refine production processes while fostering a disciplined yet supportive work environment where accountability thrives. By implementing rigorous training programmes and conducting regular performance evaluations, you will nurture talent within your team. Your expertise in quality assurance will be crucial as you uphold international standards at every stage of production. Additionally, your commitment to safety will help cultivate an incident-free workplace where environmental stewardship is paramount. Through your leadership, the organisation will continue to deliver exceptional products that meet or exceed client expectations.

• Develop comprehensive short-term, medium-term, and long-term production plans that align with sales forecasts, customer deadlines, and operational capacity requirements.
• Prepare resources including manpower allocation, machinery scheduling, and material procurement to ensure uninterrupted factory operations and timely project completion.
• Monitor key performance indicators such as cost per unit, yield rates, downtime statistics, and scrap levels; proactively initiate corrective actions to optimise results.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to establish robust production processes and quality management systems that support consistent output.
• Optimise workflows by applying lean manufacturing methodologies to reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and lower overall production costs without compromising product quality.
• Plan headcount requirements for installation teams based on project needs; allocate personnel effectively while reviewing workforce performance to maintain high standards.
• Oversee training programmes focused on welding techniques, machining operations, equipment handling, and workplace safety protocols to build team capability.
• Conduct regular performance reviews for team members; design and implement targeted improvement initiatives for underperforming staff.
• Implement and maintain ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems; ensure full compliance with industry regulations and customer specifications throughout all stages of production.
• Lead safety audits and risk assessments; champion a zero-incident culture by enforcing environmental regulations (ISO 14001) and promoting best practices across all operations.

What you bring:

To excel as Operations Director, you will bring extensive hands-on experience from mechanical manufacturing or heavy industry settings where you have managed complex fabrication projects from inception through delivery. Your academic background provides a solid foundation in engineering principles while your career history demonstrates your ability to lead diverse teams towards shared goals. You possess deep familiarity with international quality standards such as ISO 9001:2015 alongside practical knowledge of welding codes like AWS or ASME. Your technical acumen spans CNC machining, advanced welding techniques—including laser/plasma cutting—and modern assembly practices. In addition to these hard skills, your approachability enables you to communicate clearly across all organisational levels while fostering trust within your team. Your understanding of inventory control mechanisms ensures efficient resource utilisation while your comfort with digital tools supports data-driven decision-making. Above all else, your passion for continuous improvement drives you to seek out new ways of enhancing productivity without sacrificing safety or compliance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Technology or a related discipline is required for this position.
• A proven track record spanning 15-20 years in mechanical manufacturing or heavy industrial production environments is essential.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale production teams with responsibility for optimising fabrication processes is highly desirable.
• Comprehensive knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems as well as AWS welding codes and ASME standards is necessary.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles such as 5S methodology is expected for effective workflow optimisation.
• Technical proficiency in CNC operations, welding procedures (including laser/plasma cutting), surface treatment techniques, and assembly processes is important.
• Experience with inventory control systems, advanced production planning methods, and cost management strategies will be advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required; prior exposure to ERP/SAP platforms would be beneficial but not mandatory.
• Excellent communication skills in English—both written and spoken—are vital for success in this multinational setting.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as a leader in mechanical fabrication by consistently delivering high-quality solutions tailored to client needs while maintaining an unwavering commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. Employees benefit from a culture that values collaboration over hierarchy—where ideas are welcomed regardless of origin—and ongoing professional development is actively encouraged through structured training programmes. The company’s dedication to upholding international standards such as ISO 9001:2015 ensures that every member of the team operates within a framework designed for excellence. Environmental responsibility is woven into daily operations via strict adherence to ISO 14001 guidelines. Here you’ll find not only state-of-the-art facilities equipped with advanced technology but also a supportive network of colleagues who share your enthusiasm for achieving outstanding results together. Whether you’re looking for opportunities to mentor others or expand your own skill set within a forward-thinking environment, this is an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge as Operations Director and contribute meaningfully within an inclusive team environment focused on excellence—this could be your next career move!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—your future as Head of Production awaits!

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.