Operations Director

Job Title: Operations Director

Location: Havant

Salary: up to £100,000

Please note: experience within Marine / Aerospace / Cabling / Oil and Gas or similar is required to be shortlisted for this position.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR WITH PATHWAY TO MANAGING DIRECTOR

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an exceptional Operations Director who will be positioned to transition into the Managing Director role for our client, based in Havant. This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious leader to make their mark on our business, assuming full P&L responsibility for our Universal Joint (UJ) and Interconnectivity solutions portfolio.

THE ROLE

As Operations Director, you will oversee the comprehensive business operations across R&D, Testing, Training, Sales and Supply Chain Management, with a clear succession path to Managing Director. You will be responsible for:

• Full P&L accountability
• Strategic leadership of multi-site operations
• End-to-end management of our product lifecycle
• Building and developing high-performing teams

LOCATIONS

Dual-site leadership spanning:

• Havant: Procurement, Assembly, Integration, Testing (AIT), Quality Control/Assurance, and Logistics
• Essex: Research & Development, Training, Testing, and Sales

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Growth & Development

• Drive revenue growth and margin optimisation for UJ and related products
• Lead strategic customer relationships with key accounts and Tier 1 suppliers
• Manage sales forecasting, department budgets and accurate financial reporting
• Position yourself for transition to Managing Director role

Operational Excellence

• Oversee HSE, Quality and Risk Management systems
• Implement and maintain compliance with internal and external audit requirements
• Negotiate and manage Long Term Supply Agreements to ensure timely customer deliveries
• Ensure CAA “Known Consignor” recognition compliance

Supply Chain Optimization

• Establish robust supplier relationships with full component traceability
• Drive cost and quality control throughout the supply chain
• Implement rigorous stock management systems
• Ensure compliance with purchasing procedures and standards

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Essex-based teams to ensure design accuracy and smooth NPI processes
• Develop a unified “one system” approach to eliminate duplication and inefficiencies
• Lead the transition from Sage to IFS ERP system
• Work across departments to align objectives and streamline processes

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential Requirements

• MBA or equivalent qualification
• Strong Mechanical and Electrical Engineering background
• Proven experience in supply chain and manufacturing management
• Proficiency with MRP systems (SAGE or IFS)
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting and financial management
• Experience implementing quality control and assurance systems
• IT infrastructure knowledge
• Multi-site team management experience
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills
• Strategic vision with strong execution capabilities

Highly Desirable

• Experience in Marine, Telecommunications or Cabling industries
• Track record of successful business transformation
• Experience planning for or executing leadership succession

SUCCESSION PLANNING

This role has been specifically designed with succession planning in mind. The successful candidate will have a clear pathway to the Managing Director position, with structured development opportunities to prepare for this transition. We are seeking candidates with the ambition and capability to grow into this expanded leadership role.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

• Location Disclosure: Please clearly state your location in your CV. Applications without this information may experience processing delays.
• Eligibility: Only applicants with UK residency and full visa status will be considered. Applications from outside the UK will not be shortlisted. If relocation is planned, please mention this in your application.