Talent Solutions

A search and selection consultancy specialising in the permanent and interim recruitment of professionals supporting companies’ change initiatives and the drive towards continuous improvement.

Operations Manager

Posted 18.07.25

Automotive

West Midlands

Permanent

Circa £65,000-£75,000

Are you an Operations Manager/Production Manager with continuous improvement expertise looking for a challenge in a stable business with an enviable reputation? Our client is a UK-owned manufacturer of metal components supplying the off-highway vehicle industry, based in West Bromwich. Long-established and part of a small UK group, the West Bromwich site has seen significant cultural change in recent years that has brought greater stability in results and put in place the foundations to further grow the business. However, there is still huge scope to improve operationally, incorporating progressive and modern operational and manufacturing methods that will not only increase capacity and profitability, but will also improve the working culture. 

Reporting to the Group Operations Director, through your production group leaders, you will lead the site and its P&L, with a team of circa 100.  With group support on-site with regards to Quality, MP&L, Maintenance and Production Engineering, you will have the autonomy to be able to express creativity without the usual constraints of large corporate organisations and have freedom to make change. As the business scales you will lead the people agenda, recruiting and training a growing team. The business is complex with a high product mix/large amount of SKUs with predominately highly-skilled manual processes. As such, you will need to be an Operations Manager who is adaptable to changes led by business demand, with the ability to positively influence adaptability and change in those around them.

You will:

  • Be a leader who engages with and inspires the shop-floor, driving morale and strong team performances.
  • Be a proven Operations Manager/Production Manager in fast moving metal manufacturing environments such as fabrication, stamping, forming or tube manipulation. Automotive or off-highway sector experience would be ideal. 
  • Be motivated and ambitious about driving change with a problem-solving skillset.
  • Excel at leading Continuous Improvement projects, embedding Kaizen workshops and 5S implementation into regular practice.
  • Have a good appreciation of production engineering as well as TPM.
  • Have a clear understanding of inventory management and communication with supporting areas.
  • Be highly numerate, able to manage budgets.

Are you the one we're looking for? Apply now by clicking the apply button or email me for more information or should you wish to have an informal and confidential discussion before applying.

Why Kaizen

We have developed a track record over more than a decade in recruiting senior executive and mid-level business leaders that operate across many related sectors. These include manufacturing, consumer, logistics, utilities and professional services.

Latest Positions

We are committed to continually searching for the the highest calibre of people committed to fill our executive roles. Sometimes we work with clients to recruit to positions they do not want to be advertised, so please contact us to find out about other placements we have available.

Operations Manager
Automotive
West Midlands
Circa £65,000-£75,000
Permanent
Posted 18.07.25
Operations Director
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circa £70,000-£80,000 
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circa £60,000-£70,000 plus car allowance
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