Operations Manager
Reports to: General Manager
Role Purpose
To lead and integrate all
production and transport operations at the Port Talbot site, ensuring
safe, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective performance across the full
operational workflow.
The Operations Manager is
responsible for delivering daily service excellence, optimising labour and
fleet utilisation, driving continuous improvement, and acting as Deputy to the
General Manager in their absence.
Key Accountabilities
1. Operational Leadership
- Lead the end-to-end site operation from
goods-in through production to customer delivery.
- Ensure production output aligns with
transport scheduling and customer requirements.
- Oversee daily production planning and
route scheduling.
- Maintain operational flow between
departments to eliminate bottlenecks.
- Deliver service in line with SLA, OTIF,
and cost targets.
- Assume full site responsibility when the
General Manager is absent.
2. Production Management
- Plan, coordinate and control the
production process.
- Ensure correct volumes are produced at
agreed cost and quality standards.
- Implement and drive LEAN principles and
waste reduction.
- Monitor and report on daily/weekly/monthly
KPIs (PPOH, rewash %, cost per item, labour efficiency).
- Coordinate Planned Preventative
Maintenance (PPM).
- Oversee housekeeping and hygiene
standards.
- Ensure H&S compliance across the
production floor.
- Create and manage staff rotas aligned to
volume demands.
- Lead performance reviews, 1-2-1s,
return-to-work meetings and welfare matters.
3. Transport & Fleet
Management
- Plan and optimise delivery and collection
routes.
- Ensure fleet is maintained, compliant and
fit for purpose.
- Manage vehicle servicing, repairs,
inspections and cost control.
- Oversee driver scheduling, performance and
training.
- Ensure compliance with transport
legislation (licensing, safety, environmental requirements).
- Monitor fuel efficiency and transport cost
KPIs.
- Maintain accurate transport records and
reporting.
- Act as escalation point for customer
transport-related issues.
4. People Leadership
- Lead, motivate and develop production and
transport teams.
- Create a “One Team” culture across shifts
and functions.
- Identify skills gaps and implement
structured training plans.
- Manage absence, annual leave, performance
and disciplinary processes.
- Support succession planning and talent
development.
- Drive engagement and accountability at
supervisor level.
5. Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with:
- Health & Safety legislation
- Environmental standards
- Transport regulations
- Company policies and SOPs
- Maintain audit readiness at all times.
- Support implementation of competency
assurance systems.
6. Financial & Commercial
Awareness
- Support the GM in achieving site budget
targets.
- Control labour, overtime, utilities, fuel
spend and general operational costs.
- Analyse performance data to drive cost
improvements.
- Identify operational savings and
efficiency gains.
- Contribute to annual budgeting and
forecasting.
7. Continuous Improvement
- Lead structured CI projects to improve
efficiency and reduce waste.
- Standardise best practice.
- Improve labour productivity and vehicle
utilisation.
- Support digital systems and reporting
improvements.
Authority & Deputising
In the absence of the
General Manager, the Operations Manager will:
- Hold full operational authority for the
site.
- Be responsible for production, transport,
H&S and people matters.
- Act as primary decision-maker for service
continuity.
- Escalate strategic or financial risks
appropriately.
Key Performance Indicators
- OTIF delivery %
- PPOH / Labour productivity
- Rewash %
- Cost per item
- Transport cost per mile
- Fuel efficiency
- H&S incidents
- Customer service complaints
- Fleet downtime %
Person Specification
Experience
- 2–4 years’ experience in a supervisory,
team leader, or junior management role, ideally within production,
logistics, transport, manufacturing, laundry, or another fast-paced
operational environment.
- Experience supporting the day-to-day
running of a team, shift, department, or operational area.
- Some experience with people management
processes, such as absence, performance, training, return-to-work
meetings, or team briefings, with support from a senior manager where
required.
- Exposure to planning, scheduling,
productivity, quality, or service delivery targets.
- Experience in transport, fleet, or route
planning would be advantageous but is not essential.
Skills
- Strong planning and scheduling capability.
- Data-driven decision making.
- Financial awareness.
- Ability to lead change.
- Clear and decisive communication style.
- High resilience under operational
pressure.
Qualifications and Development
The following qualifications
would be advantageous but are not essential:
- IOSH, NEBOSH, or other health and safety
training
- ILM or equivalent leadership qualification
- Transport compliance training or CPC
awareness
- We are more interested in finding someone
with the right attitude, operational understanding, leadership potential,
and willingness to learn. Where the successful candidate does not already
hold relevant qualifications, the Company will support them to work
towards appropriate training and qualifications as part of their
development plan, where required for the role.
