Operations Manager

The business has made significant recent investments in manufacturing and operations to underpin the future growth of the business and is now seeking an operations manager to take a leadership role helping to deliver the ambitious plans of the company.

The Operations Manager will have overall accountability for the delivery of the Manufacturing Business Plan supporting the development, delivery, and optimisation of Production. As an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team, they will actively support the SLT and the Board to realise the potential of Smile Plastics.

You will have worked in a growing SME manufacturing environment, where you'll have been used to a multi-faceted position. You'll be innovative, analytical, abreast of key trends and be able to manage the needs of multiple stakeholders in a rapidly changing environment.

The person we are looking for will:

• Provide inspiring leadership and direction to the cross functional teams of Manufacturing, Fulfilment and Engineering, setting clear, measurable objectives, which are in line with the company's mission, vision, and strategy.


• Lead the Production Team to optimise employee engagement at all levels and develop a diverse and totally inclusive culture to deliver manufacturing excellence and continual improvement.


• Review the plant's Manufacturing team performance and put in place appropriate development, coaching, support, and training as required


• Analyse processes and schedules and then lead the implementation of initiatives to drive operational efficiencies and performance


• Implement a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to identify and implement process enhancements.


• Lead sustainability and quality agendas across the business, ensuring the business maintains ISO 14001/9001 accreditation.


• Drive a EHS culture throughout the business through continuous improvement of EHS processes, procedures and working practices. Ensuring that all required site, processes and people assessments are completed.


• Driving the delivery of operational KPIs, whilst building and maintaining an engaged and high performing workforce


• Ensure effective and timely delivery of agreed projects and regular communication with all stakeholders as required.


• Deliver clear communication to the Board, including Board meeting attendance, and across the business on key initiatives and ongoing performance.


• Work closely with the Sales and Marketing Team to ensure a consistent approach to all procedural and delivery matters.


• Manage repairs and monitoring systems performance.


• Manage the machine maintenance systems.


• Maintain an adequate inventory of parts and ordering items as necessary.


• Manage renovations, refurbishments.


• Manage budgets and accounts and taking equipment audits.


• Contract services to ensure the smooth running of the facility.


• Manage the maintenance of the building by performing repairs or contracting maintenance services as needed.


• Track building upkeep as well as anticipated long- and short-term improvements and maintenance.


• Develop medium- and long-term manufacturing and engineering strategies to optimise productivity and decrease costs.


• Develop and deliver the annual Manufacturing Business Plan to support the Senior Leadership Team's delivery of the business' strategic objectives, in line with the Company Vision.


• You must be flexible and adaptable, willing to perform other duties as and when required - we're small and not defined by our job titles.
  
  Extensive experience of a manufacturing environment.


• A relevant degree and be NEBOSH / IOSH qualified


• A proven track record +5 years of working in a SME manufacturing environment, in a management role.


• Excellent people management skills, managed teams of 30+


• Excellent communication skills: from engaging with key suppliers or Team Members, through to representing the department to the Board.


• Proactive and solutions focussed mindset essential, with a good commercial head and excellent planning and organisation skills.


• Proven track record of analysing processes and initiating improvements to drive exceptional productivity and efficiencies


• A keen interest in the environment & sustainability agenda &/or within the design world preferable


• Hands-on practical experience and approach, especially within plastics/ panel products/ joinery/ furniture. You'll be happy to offer a hand where necessary.


• Experience of running departments that are undergoing significant growth / change.


• Good knowledge of relevant manufacturing health & safety and product legislation.


• Strong leader, commercially and financially astute and able to influence at all levels of a Business, internally and externally.


• The ability to transform Business Plans into clear short- and medium-term measurable objectives and KPI's


• Demonstrable experience of driving a Culture to ensure optimal employee engagement to maximise potential for the delivery of Business Vision and Business Plans


• Experience of motivating and coaching direct reports, who will in turn lead indirect reports, driving a Culture to ensure delivery of Business Vision and Business Plans


• Compliance, Quality, Cost and Improvement focused individual with a natural instinct for motivating people to achieve objectives.


• Interpersonal skills which will allow easy interaction with all levels of the business, up to and including Board level.


• A willingness to be hands on as appropriate.


• A natural interest in environmental sustainability would be an advantage.
  
  Smile Plastics is an inspiring, fast-moving global design house and factory. We occupy a position at the forefront of sustainable materials design and manufacturing transforming plastic waste materials into core and bespoke ranges of products made from 100% recycled and 100% recyclable plastics.


Our clients are worldwide, and we sell to architectural and interiors markets from decorative panelling to furniture and fittings in commercial and residential spaces. Some of our clients include Paul Smith, Christian Dior, Lush, Ted Baker, Ganni, National Trust, V&A Museum and Selfridges.


• Experience of working for an innovative, unique, eco-driven company - taking the world's waste and making it useful again


• Competitive market salary


• Company share option EMI scheme


• Company Pension contribution


• Monday to Friday


• Small, friendly work environment


• Here at Smile Plastics, we are all multi-skilled, and as a small, expanding company, we don't define you by your job title. We encourage our Team Members to develop by supporting knowledge growth, providing in-house and external training.


Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £55,000.00 per year