Job Description

Operations Manager

Reports to: Managing Director

Responsible for: Inventory Controller, Production Manager

Hours of work: 39 Hrs

O

verall Purpose:

As the Operations Manager you will be the key leader and inspiration for the shopfloor operations giving clear objectives and direction. You will be commercially aware with the ability to understand how a business works, what drives it's success, and how internal and external factors affect its performance. It means seeing the bigger picture-- not just doing your job, but understanding why your work matters commercially. Your primary goal will be to drive OTIF.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Production Planning

Have a clear understanding of the capacity of each department and the factory as a whole.

Develop and manage detailed production schedules (Manlist) based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, and resource availability.

Work with the Sales Director to manage lead-times and inform customers.

Ensure production forecast is accurate to enable 'live' and 'accurate' lead times can be communicated to customers

Develop, implement, and maintain production schedules to meet customer demand, delivery timelines, and inventory goals.

Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth workflow.

Manage inventory levels of kit form and uncoated finished goods

Allocate resources effectively to ensure maximum efficiency while maintaining production targets and timelines.

Monitor production KPIs such as OTIF performance.

Anticipate potential production issues and take proactive corrective actions.

Oversee the progress of orders through the manufacturing process to ensure adherence to delivery schedules

Maintain accurate records of production schedules, changes, and forecasts.

Conduct time and motion studies and all products and processes

Be responsible for overtime requirements, planning and implementation.

Procurement

You will be responsible for sourcing and controlling the supply of materials and driving down costs.

You have overall responsibility for the outsourcing of processes for galvanising, welding,

In conjunction with other members of staff, negotiate appropriate contracts.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

Identify and establish quantifiable metrics to track progress and reduce the number of defects and returns

Ensure that products meet company and industry quality standards (e.g., BSI Standard).

Work with Stock and Quality Controller team to identify quality issues and implement corrective/preventive actions. (Training of staff should they not meet the desired quality should fall with the Ops Manager)

Enforce strict adherence to quality control protocols during all phases of production.

Responsible for the BSI standard and audit

Ensure we are ready to meet ISO9001

Continuous Improvement & Efficiency

Identify and lead initiatives to optimise processes, reduce waste, and increase productivity (e.g., Lean Manufacturing).

Analyse production data and reports to find trends and improvement opportunities.

Implement automation or technology upgrades to enhance production capabilities, such as increased use of Robot and Mie Trak.

Play an active role in the development and implementation of Mie Trak scheduling

Support the end-to-end product development process, from concept ideation through design, prototyping, testing, validation, and production launch.

Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new products and processes.

Product Development & Engineering

Lead initiatives related to product development and efficiency improvements.

Create and update technical drawings, incorporating relevant design and engineering information.

Manage MIE-Trak ERP system input, including Bills of Materials (BOMs) and custom product specifications.

Produce detailed drawings for special projects. Knowledge of Solid Works or equivalent advantageous.

Develop drawings for production jigs and manage storage

Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new products and processes.

Facilities Management

Oversee hard and soft facilities management for the site.

Manage maintenance schedules for all equipment and facilities to ensure operational efficiency.

Coordinate and supervise repair and maintenance activities, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and general building systems.

Manage site security protocols and systems.

Production

Support Production Manager and operational teams, fostering a high-performance culture focused on productivity and continuous improvement.

In conjunction with the Production Manager, address operational issues promptly and effectively, implementing corrective actions as needed.

May be required to perform additional tasks to support team and organisational objectives.

Competencies

1. Health & Safety

Competency: Promoting a Safe, Compliant, and Risk-Aware Work Environment

Description: Takes responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace by following and promoting health and safety procedures, identifying risks, and supporting a culture of safety.

Observable Behaviours:

Identifies and reports hazards or unsafe practices promptly. Ensures team members follow all safety protocols and use appropriate PPE. Participates in or leads safety briefings, audits, and incident investigations. Promotes a proactive safety culture by encouraging team ownership and awareness. Acts on near-misses and incidents by implementing corrective or preventative actions. Keeps up to date with safety regulations and ensures operational compliance.
2. Technical Drawings

Competency: Understanding and Applying Technical Drawings Accurately

Description: Designs and uses technical drawings, schematics, and specifications to ensure accurate production, planning, and communication.

Observable Behaviours:

Designs and understands engineering or technical drawings without error. Identifies critical dimensions, tolerances, and material specifications. Communicates drawing requirements clearly to relevant teams (e.g. production, fabrication, QA). Flags discrepancies or unclear information for clarification before proceeding. Uses drawings to verify work accuracy or to guide production planning. Collaborates with production teams to implement drawing updates or improvements.
3. Negotiation Skills

Competency: Strategic & Collaborative Negotiation

Description: Effectively negotiates with suppliers to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes while maintaining positive relationships.

Observable Behaviours:

Prepares thoroughly for negotiations, identifying key objectives, risks, and acceptable trade-offs.

Seeks win-win outcomes that align with both business goals and stakeholder needs.

Maintains composure under pressure and adapts negotiation tactics as needed.

Builds rapport and trust with negotiating parties to foster long-term partnerships.

Clarifies terms and agreements in writing to ensure mutual understanding and accountability.

4. Continuous Improvement & Initiative

Competency: Seeking Opportunities to Improve Operational Performance

Description: Proactively identifies areas for improvement and takes initiative to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Observable Behaviours:

Suggests and tests improvements to existing workflows and products Encourages team input on process improvement. Tracks impact of changes and shares learnings. Drives small-scale projects or pilots to improve efficiency or reduce waste.
5. Communication & Collaboration

Competency: Clear, Constructive Communication
Description: Communicates expectations and collaborates across teams to ensure alignment.
Observable Behaviours:

Holds regular team meetings with clear agendas and follow-ups. Escalates key issues constructively to relevant departments. Shares relevant information from other departments with the team. Listens actively to team concerns and facilitates resolution.
6. Problem Solving & Decision Making

Competency: Driving Solutions and Judgement
Description: Responds to challenges with sound judgement and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Observable Behaviours:

Investigates issues thoroughly before acting. Makes timely decisions that consider both short- and long-term impact. Involves relevant stakeholders when solving team or client problems. Reflects on outcomes to continuously improve decision-making.
7.Organisation and Time Management

Competency: Planning and Organisation
Description: Effectively structures tasks, priorities, and resources to achieve goals efficiently and meet deadlines.

Observable Behaviours:

Plans and prioritises work to align with team and organisational objectives. Manages time and resources effectively to deliver high-quality outcomes on schedule. Anticipates potential obstacles and adjusts plans proactively. Maintains organised systems and processes to support consistent performance and accountability.
8. Troubleshooting

Competency: Analytical Problem Solving
Description: Identifies, analyzes, and resolves issues efficiently by applying logical thinking and technical knowledge to minimize downtime and maintain operational continuity.

Observable Behaviours:

Quickly identifies the root cause of technical or operational issues. Gathers relevant data before proposing or implementing solutions. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to resolve complex problems. Applies past experiences and best practices to inform decision-making. Follows up on resolved issues to ensure long-term effectiveness and prevent recurrence.
9. System & Process Efficiency

Competency: Using Systems and Lean Practices to Improve Output

Description: Leverages tools like Mie Trak and Lean Manufacturing to optimise production efficiency.

Observable Behaviours:

Maintains accurate production records in Mie Trak. Identifies and removes process waste or inefficiencies. Applies 5S, Kaizen, or similar tools to improve the workspace. Uses data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Company Profile:

Redhill Manufacturing Limited is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of access, storage and manual handling equipment. We offer a comprehensive range of products, built in Worcestershire, and supplied to industry, wholesalers and businesses across the UK and Europe. We are Proud to be the

only

manufacturer to hold a BSI Kitemark on our mobile safety steps.

We are a third generational family business (Est 1978) and are proud to say that we have been able to evolve over the years to the changing demands within our industry. We are innovative and welcome new ideas that capture efficiency and technological advancement.

For more information about Redhill Manufacturing Ltd please visit our website on www.redhill.co.uk where you can view our About Us Page and access our Media Page with our latest news.

Company Benefits

EAP

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24 hour GP Line, 24 hour Counselling Line, Discount codes for 100's of stores

Cash Plan

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Optical, Dental, Dental Accident, Chiropody, therapy Treatments, Specialist Consultations and Diagnostics, Westfield Rewards, Scanning Service (MRI, CT & PET scans), Gym Discounts, Values are dependant on scheme level.

Birthday's off as an additional day to holiday entitlement

Value Awards

Recommend a Friend Scheme

Workplace Pension Scheme

Friendly Team

Free parking and close to public transport

Large canteen and lockers

Early finish on Friday's

31 days holiday (to include standard 8 statutory and other public holidays and 20 days' normal holiday in each holiday year, from this entitlement, you must reserve annual leave to cover any periods during which we close down during the year).

Company Values:

Reliable

Our products are reliable with unrivalled quality, and we ask the same of our team

Excellence

We strive for excellence every time

Dedication

We follow through on our actions, and are dedicated to make a difference

Honesty

We do the right thing, every time, even when no one is looking

Innovative

We are creative and empowered to better our business

Leaders

We set the standards, we do not follow them

Learning

We are committed to learning every day; about ourselves, our business and products

Future Prospects:

We aim to support continued professional development where appropriate and promote where possible. We have a skills matrix and actively encourage our employees to develop their skill set as we believe it makes us stronger as a business and enables us to react quickly to market changes and demands.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount On-site parking Referral programme Store discount
Work Location: In person