Job title: Group Head of Operations

Line Manager/ Reporting to: Operations Director / Managing Directors

Location: Multi-Site / Group-Wide Responsibility

About us:

Maine Group are industry market leaders and renowned for specialist fabrication, surface finishing and full assembly throughout the UK and Ireland. The business has grown rapidly over the last 10 years becoming a strategic supply chain partner to numerous industries including data centres, construction, transport, renewable energy and material handling.

Our approach is highly innovative and combines industry best practice with the latest technology to provide a service which is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of all our customers.

As a family founded business, we take great pride in providing a world class service delivery to our customers. We have a strong vision, and at the heart of this vision is our people. We are motivated to encourage and inspire in all that we do, empowering our teams to reach their full potential.

Your new opportunity:

The Head of Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership across all Maine Group manufacturing and operational sites.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving operational performance, efficiency, quality, safety, customer delivery, and continuous improvement across the business. The successful candidate will oversee key operational functions including Production, Health & Safety, Quality, Procurement, Business Improvement, and Account Management through a team of departmental leaders.

The role will play a critical part in supporting the company’s continued growth strategy, operational scalability, and long-term business objectives. Working closely with the Directors and senior leadership team, the Head of Operations will ensure operational alignment across all sites while driving a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.

What we offer:

• The Group Head of Operations role offers a competitive base salary package with:

·       Enhanced annual leave entitlement – 33 days

·       Regular social events and wellbeing initiatives

·       Life assurance 4 x salary

·       Company pension scheme – 5%

A 40-hour work week with an early finish on Fridays (flexibility will be required to support operation and business requirements)

o  Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm

o  Friday 8am – 2pm

Key Responsibilities:

Operations & Production Management

Operational Leadership

·       Lead and oversee all operational activities across multiple manufacturing and operational sites.

·       Ensure operational performance aligns with company objectives, growth plans, customer expectations, and financial targets.

·       Develop and implement operational strategies to support business scalability and long-term growth.

·       Standardise operational processes, systems, and best practices across all sites.

·       Drive operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability throughout the business.

·       Monitor and improve operational KPIs across all departments and locations.

·       Support strategic planning and operational forecasting activities.

Departmental Oversight

·       Provide direct leadership and management oversight for the following departments:

·       Health & Safety

·       Production / Manufacturing

·       Quality Assurance & Compliance

·       Procurement & Supply Chain

·       Business Improvement / Continuous Improvement

·       Account Management / Operational Customer Delivery

·       Department Heads and Managers within these functions will report directly into the Head of Operations.

Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance

·       Champion a proactive safety-first zero-harm culture across all sites and departments.

·       Ensure full compliance with all Health & Safety legislation, Environmental and Quality standards, and company procedures.

·       Lead the development and implementation of group-wide HSEQ strategies and initiatives.

·       Review operational risk management processes and ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively.

·       Drive quality assurance across all sites and reduce NCR’s, rework and warranty issues

Production & Operational Performance

·       Oversee manufacturing and operational performance across all facilities.

·       Ensure production targets, delivery schedules, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.

·       Support capacity planning, labour utilisation, and operational resource management.

·       Identify operational bottlenecks and implement improvement initiatives.

·       Drive lean manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives across the business.

Procurement & Supply Chain Management

·       Oversee procurement strategy and supply chain performance to ensure cost-effective and reliable material sourcing.

·       Develop supplier relationships and monitor supplier performance.

·       Support cost control initiatives and operational margin improvement.

·       Ensure procurement activities align with production and project delivery requirements.

·       Manage subcontractor and outsourced capacity where required

Business Improvement & Continuous Improvement

·       Lead continuous improvement initiatives across all operational functions.

·       Drive the implementation of lean manufacturing principles, process optimisation, and operational best practice.

·       Support digital transformation, ERP system improvements, and operational reporting development.

·       Encourage a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous development across the organisation.

Customer & Account Management

·       Support operational customer relationships and ensure high levels of service delivery.

·       Work collaboratively with commercial and project teams to ensure customer expectations are achieved.

·       Assist with resolving operational issues affecting customer performance or project delivery.

·       Support strategic account growth through operational excellence and delivery performance.

Leadership & People Management

·       Provide leadership, coaching, and development support to departmental managers and operational leaders.

·       Build high-performing teams and succession plans across operational departments.

·       Promote strong communication and collaboration between departments and sites.

·       Support recruitment, performance management, and talent development initiatives.

·       Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Commercial & Strategic Contribution

·       Contribute to strategic business planning and operational growth initiatives.

·       Support budgeting, forecasting, and operational cost management activities.

·       Monitor operational performance against financial and commercial objectives.

·       Support EBITA growth through disciplined operational execution

·       Provide regular operational reporting and updates to Directors and senior leadership teams.

·       Support business development and expansion initiatives from an operational perspective.

Please note that the duties listed in this job description are not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other tasks as reasonably needed to ensure the successful delivery of all ongoing projects within the company's workstream.

Job Measurement Data:

The following measures will be used to assess effectiveness and impact in the role:

·       Group operational performance

·       Production efficiency and output

·       Health & Safety performance

·       On-time delivery and customer satisfaction

·       Procurement and material cost performance

·       Quality performance and reduction in rework

·       Continuous improvement implementation

·       Operational profitability and margin improvement

·       Staff retention, engagement, and development

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job title:

Group Head of Operations

Essential Criteria

Essential Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in senior operational leadership roles within manufacturing, engineering, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Proven experience managing multi-site operations within a fast-paced environment.
• Strong background in manufacturing, fabrication, engineering, or industrial operations.
• Experience leading multiple operational departments through senior management teams.
• Demonstrated success driving operational improvement, efficiency, and business growth.
• Strong understanding of production management, quality systems, procurement, and operational planning.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong strategic leadership and decision-making capability.
• Excellent operational and commercial awareness.
• Proven ability to lead organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong people management and leadership development skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capability.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and planning skills.
• Thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation and operational compliance.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and operational reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing and operational excellence methodologies.

Qualifications

• Relevant third level qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related discipline.
• IOSH / NEBOSH qualification desirable.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement qualification desirable.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Criteria

·       Experience within structural steel, modular construction, heavy engineering, or industrial manufacturing sectors.

·       Experience supporting rapid business growth and operational scaling.

·       Experience managing customer-facing operational teams.

·       Experience implementing business improvement or digital transformation projects.

Competencies

·       Strong leadership presence with a strategic mindset.

·       Results-driven and commercially focused.

·       Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

·       Hands-on, proactive, and solution-oriented approach.

·       Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

·       Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced, growing organisation.

·       Committed to high standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.