Operations Director

Job Description: Director of Operations Manufacturing (Injection Moulding & Extrusion) Waterlooville Manufacturing / Plastics Industry Permanent | Senior Leadership Role V3 Recruitment are working in partnership with our client based in Waterlooville who are looking to appoint an experienced Director of Operations to lead the setup, scale-up, and ongoing performance of a brand new, high-volume manufacturing facility. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader to play a pivotal role in building and developing a facility operating injection moulding machines and extrusion lines, while driving operational excellence, implementing robust systems, and developing a high-performing team. The Role Reporting directly to the Managing Director / CEO, the Director of Operations will take full responsibility for the operational performance of the manufacturing facility, including safety, production output, quality, delivery, cost control and continuous improvement. A key part of the role will involve implementing and managing the RIDDER ERP system, while also leading the facility through the implementation and successful certification of ISO 9001. You will oversee a team including Production Managers, Engineering Manager, Quality Manager and Supply Chain, ensuring smooth, efficient and scalable operations as the business continues to grow. Key Responsibilities Lead the full operational setup and commissioning of the new manufacturing facility Manage daily production operations across injection moulding and extrusion lines Develop and deliver operational strategy aligned with business growth plans Drive performance improvements across key KPIs including OEE, scrap rates, yield, uptime and on-time delivery Act as operational owner of the RIDDER ERP system, ensuring accurate use across the facility Lead the implementation and certification process for ISO 9001, working closely with the Quality Manager Optimise production processes including cycle times, tooling, materials and maintenance planning Champion a strong health & safety culture and ensure full regulatory compliance Work closely with Supply Chain and Planning teams to align production schedules and materials availability Build, lead and develop a high-performing operations team Implement Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce costs Skills & Experience Required Proven senior leadership experience within high-volume manufacturing environments Strong background in plastics manufacturing, injection moulding or extrusion (highly desirable) Demonstrated experience launching or scaling manufacturing facilities Strong understanding of ERP systems, ideally RIDDER Proven track record of improving operational KPIs through data-driven decision making Experience leading or supporting ISO 9001 implementation Strong knowledge of manufacturing cost drivers and optimisation strategies Experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary operational teams Personal Attributes Strong operational and strategic mindset Hands-on and visible leadership style Analytical and highly process-driven approach Excellent communication skills across all levels of the business Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving environment Commercially aware with strong decision-making capability Key Measures of Success Successful commissioning and ramp-up of the new facility Achieving ISO 9001 certification within the planned timeframe Effective implementation and full adoption of RIDDER ERP Measurable improvements across OEE, scrap, uptime and delivery performance Development of a stable, high-performing operations team Safe, compliant and efficient day-to-day manufacturing operations Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Work Location: In person