Average Operations Director salary in the UK

Operations Director (Manufacturing)Loughboroughc£90,000 p.a. DOE + car/allowance, bonuses and benefitsLead. Engineer. Transform.Are you a powerhouse of operational and engineering leadership?Do you have proven experience in the food-processing machinery sector?Do you thrive on driving precision, innovation and performance in complex, technical manufacturing environments?This isn’t just another Operations Director role; it’s your chance to lead engineering excellence and shape the future of a business designing and building world-class processing solutions for the food industry!The Company:ER Recruitment are excited to be working exclusively with our client, a rapidly growing and reputable sheet-metal fabrication business based in Loughborough.This is a critical role within the business and will report to the business owner and represent him with customers at times. The role is diverse and offers a great amount of independence to make your stamp on an already successful organisation. You must be forward-thinking and a strong leader with the customer at the centre of every strategy.Role & Responsibilities of the Operations Director:Play a pivotal role within the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to high-level decisions that shape the future of operations and growth.Lead and empower cross-functional teams ensuring excellence across production, engineering, design and installation, ensuring excellence in performance, quality and delivery.Oversee the end-to-end engineering process from design for manufacture through to assembly and commissioning, ensuring technical accuracy, efficiency and innovation.Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing methods, materials and machinery design, embedding lean principles and world-class engineering practices.Champion technical excellence within project execution, supporting teams to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver precision-built equipment on time and on budget.Build and maintain high-trust relationships with customers, including handling involved, technical discussions and ensuring their needs are met with precision.Support the development and execution of strategic plans, working closely with the Managing Director and business owner.Help drive commercial success with a keen eye on operational KPIs, budgets, and customer satisfaction.About You as the Operations Director:Must have hands-on experience in manufacturing machinery for the food industry, this is essential.Deep technical expertise in precision engineering, stainless-steel fabrication and food-processing machinery design.Strong leadership track record in a high-pace, quality-driven engineering and manufacturing environment.Commercially astute with strong financial awareness across production costs, budgets and operational performance.A confident, empathetic leader who balances strategic vision with operational execution.Excellent communicator who thrives in technical environments and enjoys engaging with clients and stakeholders at all levels.Please note by applying for this role you give consent for ER Recruitment to retain your CV for up to 24 months for the purposes of assisting you to find your next role unless you notify us otherwise.While we aim to get back to all applicants however if you do not receive a response within seven working days then unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.We are here to help with your career so please send a copy of your CV to us. If you know of anyone else who is looking for their next opportunity, please feel free to refer them to us or pass on our details.We look forward to hearing from you.

Interim Director of Finance & Resources (Charity Sector)Location: Greater Manchester/Lancashire/CheshireContract: Interim (3-6 months)Day Rate: £500 per day (inside IR35 via umbrella company)Start: ASAPWe are working in partnership with a purpose driven charity to appoint an experienced Interim Director of Finance & Resources. This is a key leadership role at a pivotal time for the organisation, with a strong focus on strengthening systems, infrastructure, and operational effectiveness.The Opportunity Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board and senior leadership team, the successful candidate will take ownership of finance, IT, governance, and operational resources. A central aspect of the role will be reviewing, improving, and integrating systems to support organisational performance and future growth.This is an ideal opportunity for an interim Finance Director who can quickly assess current arrangements, bring structure and clarity, and implement scalable, efficient solutions.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide strategic financial leadership, ensuring robust financial planning, management, and controlLead the review and optimisation of finance and operational systems, including finance platforms, CRM, and reporting toolsDrive systems integration and process improvement across the organisationOversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reportingCapex spendStrengthen governance, compliance, and risk management frameworksLead and support teams across finance, IT, HR, and operationsPartner with the CEO and Board to support strategic decision-makingEnhance management information through improved data and reporting systemsCandidate ProfileFully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)Proven experience operating at Finance Director level - Finance Director coupled with other business linesStrong track record of systems improvement and implementation across finance and operationsAbility to quickly diagnose challenges and deliver practical, effective solutionsExperience within the Charity/Not for Profit sector is highly desirableStrong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levelsHands-on approach combined with strategic oversight

Operations DirectorOur client, a successful tech scale-up, cash generative SME, with a £10m turnover and employing 100 staff, is looking to double in size in the next five years under the guidance of its experienced, highly charismatic and driven CEO, supported by a first-class senior leadership team. Their platform combines personalised technology with individualised coaching to deliver cutting-edge support for nutrition, exercise and sustainable lifestyle changes.They now seek to appoint an Operations Director to build systems and processes across several departments, with the clear aim of translating strategy into execution.Your specific responsibilities as Operations Director will include:Leading several departments, including Customer Service, Project Delivery, IT and HRGuiding daily operational performance via a team of Department HeadsInstigating clear targetsBuilding scalable and robust frameworksEliminating system and process frictionDelivering measurable improvements in efficiency across systems, processes and teamsDriving the adoption of automation and AITaking C-Suite strategy and turning it into clear operational plans and outcomesKeeping operational reporting relevantEnsuring robust governance of data protection and regulatory complianceReporting directly to the CEOAs Operations Director, you will need:Experience at a similar level in a rapidly scaling business (preferably tech-enabled and high growth)A history of running multiple functions simultaneouslyA track record in improving operational efficiency and performanceStrong hands-on leadership skillsProven commercial nousA data-driven approachWell-honed communication skillsAbility to bring structure, clarity and momentumRewards & benefits:£70-90k25 days holiday + bank holidaysEmployee discountsFree on-site gymEnhanced sick pay schemeEnhanced maternity and paternity payPlease note: High levels of interest mean we will only contact you if your application is shortlisted and this will happen within five working days. You must also be eligible to work in the UK.