Senior Operations Manager

About the role

This position leads manufacturing operations with a focus on meeting production goals, honoring delivery commitments, and maintaining strong levels of quality, productivity, and efficiency. The role also helps build a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organization.

What you'll do

• Guide and grow a strong manufacturing team that is committed to continuous improvement and accountable for operational and customer outcomes.
• Set direction for cross-functional groups so their work stays aligned with business priorities, operational targets, and core processes.
• Manage site-level operations while ensuring adherence to relevant regulations, industry requirements, and quality management systems.
• Execute production plans to support on-time order completion, capacity planning, better productivity, improved quality, and the development and retention of talent.
• Oversee manufacturing budgets and capital spending plans, including suggestions for operational investments and how resources should be allocated.
• Work with planning teams on scheduling, build plans, inventory control, and material movement to meet business needs.
• Track, analyze, and resolve production issues affecting output, quality, yield, delivery performance, and cost.
• Introduce and implement improvements that strengthen manufacturing processes, operational performance, and overall organizational capability.
• Create an environment that promotes employee engagement, accountability, safety, and ongoing learning.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a similar field is needed; an advanced qualification or professional certification will be an added advantage.
• At least 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with 5 or more years in a leadership position overseeing production teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Prior experience leading manufacturing operations in a tightly regulated environment such as medical devices, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, precision engineering, or other advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing best practices, lean principles, and continuous improvement methods.
• Hands-on experience in production planning, capacity management, supply chain coordination, and operational budgeting.
• Good knowledge of quality management systems and compliance requirements, including ISO standards and environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Demonstrated success in improving productivity, leading operational excellence programs, and supporting organizational change.
• Excellent people leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead teams effectively, and perform in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

Skills

• Strategic planning
• Operational leadership
• Manufacturing operations
• Lean manufacturing
• Continuous improvement
• Production planning
• Capacity planning
• Budget management
• Stakeholder management
• Quality management systems
• Regulatory compliance
• Change management

Who can apply

Experienced manufacturing operations professionals with a background in engineering, manufacturing, or operations management, especially those who have led teams in regulated or advanced manufacturing environments.

Preferred background

Experience in production planning, capacity management, supply chain coordination, and operational budgeting will be especially useful. Familiarity with ISO standards and EHS compliance is also beneficial.