Role Description:

Complete accountability for day to day manufacturing operations and overall operational performance of the site. The role is responsible for ensuring safe, stable, compliant, and efficient operations, while driving continuous improvement, people development, and longterm operational capability.

This position plays a critical leadership role within the manufacturing organisation, combining strong operational execution with people leadership, and ensuring alignment with site strategy, corporate standards, and business objectives. The Director - Operations acts as a key partner and leads the operational leadership team across production and maintenance.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Operational Leadership:

- Full responsibility for operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.

- Ensure stable and efficient manufacturing operations, including multi-shift or 24/7 environments where applicable.

- Act as the primary escalation point for critical operational issues impacting production continuity, safety, quality, or customer delivery.

- Translate site and manufacturing strategy into effective operational execution.

Production & Maintenance Management:

- Directly manage and develop Production Managers and the Maintenance Manager.

- Ensure effective production planning, execution, and resource utilisation.

- Oversee maintenance strategy, asset reliability, equipment availability, and infrastructure performance.

- Drive preventive and predictive maintenance practices to ensure longterm operational stability.

Engineering & Process Excellence:

- Oversee engineering activities related to process stability, optimisation, and capacity expansion.

- Lead implementation of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.

- Support introduction of new technologies, automation, and process improvements.

- Oversee process validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and technology or product transfers where applicable.

Quality & EHS:

- Ensure full compliance with quality systems, internal standards, and regulatory requirements.

- Accountable for quality performance, including defect reduction, scrap, and complaint prevention.

- Build and sustain a strong EHS culture, ensuring compliance with local regulations and corporate policies.

- Ensure consistent application of safety rules, procedures, and safe-work practices across all teams.

People Leadership & Development:

- Provide strong leadership, coaching, and development for managers and operational teams.

- Ensure effective employee supervision, engagement, and performance management.

- Build succession plans for key operational and leadership roles.

- Actively support talent development, internal promotions, and capability building across operations.

- Partner closely with HR on workforce planning, recruitment, and development initiatives.

Financial & Performance Management:

- Responsible for operational cost control and budget execution within the assigned scope.

- Monitor and improve operational KPIs (e.g. OEE, productivity, quality, cost).

- Prepare and present regular operational performance updates.

- Identify and drive cost optimisation and efficiency improvement initiatives.

Technical & Operational Skills:

- Strong understanding of production processes, maintenance, and engineering functions.

- Experience with Lean Manufacturing - Continuous Improvement methodologies.

- Ability to manage performance using KPIs such as OEE, quality, cost, delivery.

- Familiarity with ERP - MES systems is a plus.

- Knowledge of EHS and quality management systems.

Leadership & Behavioural Competencies:

- Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead through managers.

- Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.

- Strong communication skills at all organisational levels.

- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution.

- High accountability, resilience, and adaptability in a dynamic manufacturing environment.