Operations Director

Coventry

10 months ago

Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Technical Director

Associate Value Stream Director- Composites

QC Laboratory Technician

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Welding & Fabrication

Configuration Manager

HR Business Partner

Company Overview
W Talent are working in partnership with a Global Industrial focused manufacturing business based in the West Midlands that are now looking for a Operations Director. This business has been on a significant growth curve over the last decade and is looking for a senior leader to continue its journey.
Position Overview
The Operations Director will be responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, and financial performance of the business based in the West Midlands. This role demands a robust technical background in casting, machining, or metallurgy, coupled with significant profit and loss (P&L) management experience, with a specific focus on the supply and distribution of high-quality parts into multiple sectors including Aerospace, Oil & Gas and other technical industries
This is a newly scoped out role for the organisation with a focus on growing the UK business and is an incredible opportunity to harness and improve on an already impressive foundation. This role is pivotal in driving the business on the next stage of growth and development and offers full accountability to create a strategy that will increase it's strength on its already impressive portfolio within the UK and wider global market
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute the company's strategic plan to achieve business goals and drive growth.
Identify new business opportunities and market trends to expand the company's market presence.
Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the organisation.
Operational Management
Oversee daily operations ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness in all business activities.
Implement best practices in operations, quality control, logistics, and supply chain management.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and customer requirements.
Financial Management
Manage the company's financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Drive profitability through effective cost management, pricing strategies, and revenue generation.
Oversee capital investment projects and manage relationships with financial stakeholders.
Technical Expertise
Provide technical leadership and support in in all product ranges and processes tailored to the customer requirements.
Lead R&D initiatives to develop new products and improve existing ones in line with industry standards.
Ensure the company remains at the forefront of technological advancements in its sector.
Supply Chain and Distribution Management
Optimise supply chain processes to ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to customers.
Develop strategic partnerships with suppliers (internal) and distributors to enhance the company's supply chain capabilities.
Manage inventory levels to balance cost and service levels.
Team Leadership
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing management team.
Promote a positive and inclusive work environment.
Develop talent within the organisation through training and professional development.
Customer and Stakeholder Relations
Maintain strong relationships with key customers, suppliers, and stakeholders within the industry.
Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and trade shows.
Drive customer satisfaction through exceptional service, quality products, and reliable distribution.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related technical field; MBA or advanced business degree preferred.
Proven experience in a senior leadership role with in an industrial sector. It would be advantageous for a background in casting, machining, or metallurgy industries,
Technical knowledge of machined parts is essential.
Demonstrated experience in managing P&L for a business unit or company.
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead and inspire teams to achieve high performance.
What’s on Offer
£90,000 - £110,000 depending on experience plus benefits
An opportunity to work for a business going through an exciting growth curve
To be truly accountable for the operational direction of a business

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Feb 12, 2026

Careers

How Many Materials Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Materials Science Job?

If you’re navigating the materials science job market, it can feel like the list of tools, techniques and platforms you should learn grows every week. One job advert mentions electron microscopy, another mentions X-ray diffraction, yet another wants experience with thermal analysis, spectroscopy, simulation software, statistical packages, manufacturing QA systems and more. With so many specialised methods and instruments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and to start thinking you need to know everything just to be considered. Here’s the honest truth most materials science hiring managers won’t tell you directly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every piece of equipment or software. They hire you because you can use the tools you do know to answer real questions, make reliable measurements and communicate results clearly. Tools are essential — no question — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, scientific reasoning and experimental rigour. So the real question is: how many materials science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The precise number depends on the role you want, but for most job seekers the answer is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so your CV and interviews stand out for the right reasons.

Feb 3, 2026

Jobs

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

Jan 24, 2026

Education

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.