Operations Manager

🔧 Operations Manager 📍 Basildon | Full-time

About Us

Osprey Engineering Solutions are hiring on behalf of a well-established British manufacturing business with over 50 years of experience and a global leader in shaped hot-melt technologies, delivering innovative, high-performance products to customers across a wide range of industries worldwide.

As they continue to invest in their people, products, and processes, focus is on expanding global footprint and strengthening position as a market leader. This is an exciting time to join a business that combines strong heritage with ambitious plans for future growth.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced and driven Operations Manager to take full ownership of our manufacturing operation. You'll combine decisive leadership with a hands-on approach to deliver safe, efficient, and consistently high-quality output — inheriting a well-established, highly knowledgeable production team along the way.

• What You'll Be Doing✅ Production & Operations
• Own delivery of production targets across safety, quality, cost and delivery, resolving issues quickly to minimise downtime.✅ Quality
• Embed a "right first time" culture, monitor performance, and lead quality-driven improvement projects.✅ Health & Safety
• Lead by example, ensuring full H&S compliance and proactive risk management.✅ Performance & Metrics
• Use data to drive standards, identify improvements, and hold the team accountable.✅ Continuous Improvement
• Lead initiatives to boost output, reduce scrap and waste, and build capital investment cases.✅ Team Leadership
• Manage 2 direct reports (Production Supervisor & Warehouse Supervisor) and oversee a 15-strong production team, building a positive, high-performing culture.

About You🔹 Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing environment🔹 Strong background in production planning, labour resources, and manufacturing KPIs🔹 Track record of delivering operational improvement projects🔹 Analytical, data-driven problem solver🔹 Experience in adhesives/chemicals manufacturing is a plus🔹 Solid grasp of ISO standards, H&S (IOSH or equivalent), and Lean/Six Sigma principles🔹 A hands-on, proactive mindset with excellent communication skills