Operations Programme Manager
Overview
OPERATIONS PROGRAMME MANAGER
The Operations Programme Manager will be responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering a portfolio of cross-functional projects across the Operations department. Reporting to the COO, this new role will take responsibility for varied projects covering NPI, Lean process improvement, IT enhancements and other cross-functional activities. Working across Operations and the wider business, the postholder will establish clear governance, manage dependencies and risks, and embed changes so that intended outcomes are realised efficiently.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Operations Programme Manager is responsible for leading and governing a portfolio of Operations programmes and projects, translating strategic and operational priorities into clear project charters, integrated delivery plans and coordinated workstreams. The role will maintain oversight of scope, timelines, resources, budgets, dependencies and expected benefits, establish proportionate governance and reporting, and ensure that risks, issues and delivery variances are identified early and addressed effectively.
Working in partnership with the New Product Development project management function and teams across Operations, the postholder will coordinate the transition of new products from design into early-stage production and onwards into business-as-usual. This will include ensuring production readiness across processes, equipment, tooling, materials, suppliers, facilities, systems, documentation, training, quality and regulatory requirements, agreeing clear handover and acceptance criteria, supporting launch stabilisation and capturing lessons learned to improve future product transfers.
The role will also manage a range of manufacturing change and significant operational IT projects, working with functional owners, Business Systems, vendors and operational users. Projects may include process transfers, facility or layout changes, new equipment, automation, capacity changes, outsourcing or insourcing, supplier transitions and systems implementation. The postholder will coordinate implementation, cutover, validation, commissioning, qualification and training, protect safety, product quality and continuity of supply, and ensure that agreed improvements are embedded and sustained.
This summary covers the main responsibilities of the role. A full job description with detailed tasks is available upon request.
REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- A recognised project or programme management qualification, such as APM
- A degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering, manufacturing, operations, business, technology or a related discipline
- Substantial experience delivering complex, cross-functional projects or programmes in manufacturing, engineering, operations or a comparable environment
- Demonstrable experience of taking projects from definition through implementation, stabilisation and handover into business as usual
- Experience in at least two of the following areas: new product introduction, manufacturing change, operational transformation or IT-enabled business change
- Strong working knowledge of project planning, governance, risk and issue management, change control, budget management and benefits realisation
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams in a matrix environment without relying solely on direct authority
- Ability to interpret operational, financial and performance information and use it to support decisions
- Understanding of structured change management and the factors that drive successful adoption
- Confident user of project planning, reporting and collaboration tools
Leadership Behaviours
- Strategic and able to see the business as an interconnected system
- Credible and authoritative with senior leaders and operational teams alike
- Hands-on when needed, but able to operate at a business-wide level
- Relentless in addressing root causes and raising standards
- Comfortable challenging legacy practices and driving professionalisation
- Structured, disciplined and focused on sustainable execution
- Collaborative and influential, with the ability to align multiple functions behind common goals
- Motivated by building a stronger, more capable and world-class business
THE PACKAGE
In return we offer a competitive salary and a performance-related bonus based on personal objectives that pays up to 5% of your salary annually, study support and the chance to progress in a rapidly growing company.
Employees (following a probationary period) may work from home one day a week (if their work can be done from home), they also have the opportunity to work longer hours during the week and finish early on a Friday.
Other benefits include a salary sacrifice pension scheme where the company matches your contribution up to 5% plus Employer NI savings - currently 15.05% of your contribution (this also applies to voluntary contributions), a non-contributory healthcare cash plan including access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), life insurance paying 4x your salary, access to a virtual GP, 25 days holiday (with possibility of buying additional leave), and a cycle to work scheme.
If this sounds like an exciting opportunity and you feel you have got what it takes, please send your CV with a covering letter telling us why you consider yourself suitable for the role, to the HR Manager, Limbs & Things.
To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to hr@limbsandthings.com.