Innova Search are working with a specialist manufacturing SME in the West Midlands to recruit an Operations Manager. The business is currently growing due to product demand, with their offering a bespoke manufactured product sold in the UK & overseas.

Role

As the company continues to grow both operationally and commercially, the business is seeking a practical, people-centred leader who can take ownership of day-to-day activity while contributing to the broader strategic direction. You will:

* Oversee all operational functions, including production, warehousing, and administrative support

* Provide strategic guidance to help shape future growth

* Work closely with the leadership team to make key decisions affecting output, profitability, and customer satisfaction

Responsibilities:

* Take full ownership of all day-to-day operations across office, production, and warehouse functions, ensuring a seamless order-to-dispatch workflow

* Protect and enhance the company's reputation for exceptional quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery while supporting the planned scale-up

* Build the systems, processes, documentation, and team capability needed to increase production capacity without compromising standards

* Develop, coach, and structure the team so the business has strong internal leaders ready to support future growth improvement to ensure the business grows in a controlled, quality-driven way.

* Overseeing the complete order cycle: reviewing customer requirements, scheduling production, monitoring workflow, and ensuring packing and dispatch meet exact specifications

* Walking the floor across office, production, and warehouse to solve issues in real time and support the team during busy periods

* Running daily team huddles to set priorities, surface bottlenecks, and reinforce quality expectations

* Reviewing quality checks, resolving any issues before they reach customers, and handling escalations when needed

* Coaching team members, reviewing KPIs, planning staff development, managing resource allocation, and handling HR matters such as holidays and performance

* Maintaining a safe, compliant, well-organised work environment

Industry Experience:

* Proven experience running operations in an SME environment

* Exposure to quality-critical, deadline-driven sectors such as bespoke manufacturing, customised products precision is essential.

Essential Requirements:

* Proven experience in leading multi-discipline teams

* Demonstrated success in scaling capacity while preserving or improving quality and delivery performance.

* Excellent attention to detail, especially around product accuracy, artwork/branding specifics, and quality standards.

* Strong communication skills and an ability to coordinate workflow across departments.

* High level of IT proficiency

Desirable Requirements:

* Experience creating SOPs and operational playbooks

* Competence in structured process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent)

* Track record in businesses where on-time delivery is mission-critical

* Hands-on experience working alongside production teams, not just managing from a distance