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Job Title: Operations Director
Location : Havant
Salary: up to £100,000
Please note; experience within Marine / Aerospace / Cabling / Oil and Gas or similar is required to be shortlisted for this position.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR WITH PATHWAY TO MANAGING DIRECTOR
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an exceptional Operations Director who will be positioned to transition into the Managing Director role for our client, based in Havant. This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious leader to make their mark on our business, assuming full P&L responsibility for our Universal Joint (UJ) and Interconnectivity solutions portfolio.

THE ROLE

As Operations Director, you will oversee the comprehensive business operations across R&D, Testing, Training, Sales and Supply Chain Management, with a clear succession path to Managing Director. You will be responsible for:

Full P&L accountability
Strategic leadership of multi-site operations
End-to-end management of our product lifecycle
Building and developing high-performing teamsLOCATIONS

Dual-site leadership spanning:

Havant: Procurement, Assembly, Integration, Testing (AIT), Quality Control/Assurance, and Logistics
Essex: Research & Development, Training, Testing, and SalesKEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Growth & Development

Drive revenue growth and margin optimisation for UJ and related products
Lead strategic customer relationships with key accounts and Tier 1 suppliers
Manage sales forecasting, department budgets and accurate financial reporting
Position yourself for transition to Managing Director roleOperational Excellence

Oversee HSE, Quality and Risk Management systems
Implement and maintain compliance with internal and external audit requirements
Negotiate and manage Long Term Supply Agreements to ensure timely customer deliveries
Ensure CAA "Known Consignor" recognition complianceSupply Chain Optimization

Establish robust supplier relationships with full component traceability
Drive cost and quality control throughout the supply chain
Implement rigorous stock management systems
Ensure compliance with purchasing procedures and standardsCross-Functional Leadership

Collaborate with Essex-based teams to ensure design accuracy and smooth NPI processes
Develop a unified "one system" approach to eliminate duplication and inefficiencies
Lead the transition from Sage to IFS ERP system
Work across departments to align objectives and streamline processesQUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential Requirements

MBA or equivalent qualification
Strong Mechanical and Electrical Engineering background
Proven experience in supply chain and manufacturing management
Proficiency with MRP systems (SAGE or IFS)
Demonstrated expertise in budgeting and financial management
Experience implementing quality control and assurance systems
IT infrastructure knowledge
Multi-site team management experience
Exceptional communication and negotiation skills
Strategic vision with strong execution capabilitiesHighly Desirable

Experience in Marine, Telecommunications or Cabling industries
Track record of successful business transformation
Experience planning for or executing leadership successionSUCCESSION PLANNING

This role has been specifically designed with succession planning in mind. The successful candidate will have a clear pathway to the Managing Director position, with structured development opportunities to prepare for this transition. We are seeking candidates with the ambition and capability to grow into this expanded leadership role.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

Location Disclosure: Please clearly state your location in your CV. Applications without this information may experience processing delays.
Eligibility: Only applicants with UK residency and full visa status will be considered. Applications from outside the UK will not be shortlisted. If relocation is planned, please mention this in your application