Operations Director – Automotive
Role: Operations Director – Automotive manufacturing
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Our client is a pioneer in the development of electric powertrain solutions, with large OEMs and Tier 1s adopting its technology. Having recently been acquired by a prestigious automotive OEM, the company is scaling fast to meet demand and, as such, is looking for an Operations Director to join a world-class team with a shared mission to create a sustainable future in automotive.
The Opportunity
The Operations Director will be responsible for managing and delivering the change from low-volume batch manufacture to high-volume production, and facilitating the expansion of manufacturing operations.
Reporting to the MD, the successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping operations to enable the next phase of growth. They will lead and implement process, technical, and operational improvements to continuously enhance quality, drive down costs, and meet customer demands.
Key responsibilities will include:
– Management of operational activities, including the day-to-day management of a skilled team spanning production, maintenance, H&S, and automation. Identifying needs and growing staff ability and levels to meet volume production requirements
– Providing leadership, coaching and development of the team in order to provide exceptional service and continuous improvement
– Develop plans and roadmap for optimising production processes and equipment, and ensure a robust production equipment maintenance program is in place
– Identify bottlenecks, expenditure and resource requirements
– Delivery of product against plan, on time, and to the quality and cost required
– Management of stores inventory, ensuring processes are aligned with business needs
– Implement IATF16949 level practices to support accreditation and customer audits
– Lead robust production practices, ie. generation of process flow and control plans in line with automotive, aerospace, and industry best practice as appropriate
– Work with and support other operational functions and stakeholders across the business
– Review business performance and ensure delivery of key operational targets
The Operations Director will:
– Have extensive previous experience managing a medium-high volume manufacturing facility in the automotive sector
– Experience leading a manufacturing organisation working to IATF16949 quality standards
– Experience of low volume engineering sample manufacture in the automotive and aerospace sectors would be advantageous
– Experience of growing facilities to support high volume automotive customers from concept
– Ability to communicate clearly at all levels, provide operational interface and influence/present to customers up to board level
– Commercial awareness of the criticality of controlling costs and minimising stock and supplier liabilities
– Experience of bonding, composites, machined and forming processes would be advantageous
– A proactive and collaborative leadership style
– Experienced practitioner of Lean tools and techniques
– A flexible approach to work and a desire to thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving environment
– A background in Manufacturing Engineering could be advantageous
Success in this role will have a far-reaching impact over the company and the overall group – facilitating growth, helping to optimise overall business performance, and maintaining the company’s position at the vanguard of electrification.
There is a compelling package on offer and, for the right individual, suitably qualified by mindset and attitude – this should prove to be a challenging, rewarding and potentially career defining role.
For more information, please contact georgina@upscalepartners.com