Operations manager

Job Description

Operations Manager

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Location: South Wales - UK Wide Travel & Home Working

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Salary: £60,000 - £80,000

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Job Type: Permanent

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About the Opportunity

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We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Operations Manager to play a key leadership role in driving operational excellence and supporting the future growth of the business.

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This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a strong background in the mechanical engineering sector, particularly within welding, fabrication, pipework, mechanical installation or industrial maintenance environments, who is ready to step away from a hands-on role and transition into a strategic operational leadership position.

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Working closely with senior leadership, you will oversee workforce management, operational performance, resource planning and business improvement initiatives across multiple sites nationwide. This hybrid role offers a blend of field-based responsibilities, travel to operational locations across the UK, and home-based working.

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The Role

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As Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day operational delivery of the business while helping shape its long-term direction. You will be responsible for ensuring projects are adequately resourced, teams are supported and developed, and operational processes are aligned with the company's growth objectives.

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This role requires a hands-on leader who understands the realities of mechanical engineering environments while possessing the commercial awareness and leadership capability to drive continuous improvement and organisational success.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Lead and support operational teams across multiple UK locations.
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• Manage workforce planning, resource allocation and labour utilisation.
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• Develop and implement operational strategies to support business growth.
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• Monitor project delivery, productivity and operational performance.
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• Work closely with senior management to identify business improvement opportunities.
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• Ensure compliance with health, safety, quality and industry standards.
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• Support recruitment, training and development of engineering personnel.
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• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
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• Drive operational efficiency and promote best practice across the business.
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• Provide leadership and direction to site-based management and engineering teams.
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• Contribute to future business planning, succession planning and organisational development.
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• Analyse operational data and reporting to support informed decision-making.
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About You

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We are looking for an operational leader who has progressed through a mechanical engineering environment and understands the challenges of delivering engineering services in demanding industrial settings.

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Essential Requirements

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• Previous experience within a mechanical engineering, welding, fabrication or industrial services environment.
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• Proven leadership experience managing operational teams, projects or multiple sites.
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• Strong people management and workforce planning capabilities.
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• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
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• Commercial awareness with the ability to support business growth and profitability.
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• Understanding of health, safety and quality requirements within engineering environments.
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• Willingness to travel nationally as required.
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Desirable Experience

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• Background as a Mechanical Supervisor, Site Manager, Project Manager, Operations Supervisor or similar leadership role.
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• Experience within industrial maintenance, manufacturing, engineering services or construction-related engineering sectors.
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• Knowledge of business improvement, operational transformation or change management initiatives.
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• Relevant engineering qualifications or leadership/management certifications.
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What's on Offer

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• Competitive salary of £60,000 - £80,000 depending on experience.
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• Hybrid working arrangement.
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• Opportunity to influence the future direction of a growing business.
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• Varied role combining operational leadership, strategic planning and workforce management.
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• Career progression within a respected mechanical engineering organisation.
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• Company benefits package.
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Apply Now

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If you have built your career within mechanical engineering and are looking to move beyond the tools into a strategic leadership position where you can shape operational success and business growth, we'd like to hear from you.

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Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.