Operations Manager - Harlow

Operations Manager jobs

All companies have a clear set of goals and plans, but without the people in place to make them happen, their plans would be pointless. Enter the operations manager, the can-do person who takes the reins of the company and guides it in the direction determined by the board or senior management.

The operations manager will probably have a team of departmental managers underneath him or her, and could be one of several operations managers, either working shifts or dealing with specific areas of the business. They will need to oversee the implementation of senior management’s goals and steer the operation in the right direction if an element starts to lag behind or if unforeseen problems arise.

With possible control over an entire site, the operations manager will also be the head of health and safety, personnel and security. These elements all feed into the morale, legal compliance and profitability of the company, so should not be underestimated as part of the job.

Ultimately, the operations manager will be the person who delivers customer satisfaction and maintains the company’s profile, and as such it is an important role. He or she will need to be driven by the exercise of executive power and understand the skills required to implement it effectively.

The skills required

Management of people is a skill that will be essential in the operations manager, as they might oversee other managers as well as general staff members. Communicating company policy between the board and the workers is also key, so skills in performing this task clearly and accurately will be essential.

An ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines and to consistently hit targets will matter immensely in the job, as customer satisfaction or tolerance can never be taken for granted in business.

An ability to spot inefficiencies and deal with them in a timely manner will greatly improve the profitability of the company and will therefore make the operations manager a valued member of any team. Doing this well whilst maintaining morale and customer satisfaction is key to the job.

Operations Manager Jobs in Harlow

During the post-war period as Britain was faced with rebuilding millions of shattered homes and re-housing their inhabitants, a radical solution was to build a series of new towns. Most cities of the UK have some form of new town within them or in their orbital range. Harlow in Essex was one such town. Situated 20 miles (33 km) north east of the centre of London, it was a grand project, with thousands of homes as well as industrial, shopping, entertainment and communications infrastructure being built around what was a village dating back at least to the Domesday Book.

Expansion was steady, taking place between the late 1950s and the 1970s, as jobs were created and the town became a reasonably attractive place to live. Although manufacturing was once a major industry in Harlow, it has since declined, and now the economy is largely service-based. The large factories have recently been demolished and smaller units for start-ups have been built with the hope of kickstarting a new tech sector. However the town is still home to some major employers, most notably GlaxoSmithKline and American defence firm Raytheon.

The town is well placed to serve London, situated as it is on the M11 that runs from the capital to Cambridge, and there are also good rail links to both cities. Stansted Airport is just 20 minutes up the motorway, too. With much regeneration going on in the town, it’s likely that the demand for Operations Manager jobs will grow over the coming years. Keep checking back or get in touch if you’d like us to search the area for such positions.

Popular locations

Cast UK’s logistics opportunities

Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so we are well placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain wherever you are located or plan to locate. If you’re moving house, please see if there are any positions available in the area you’re moving to; and if you’re simply looking for more fulfilment in your working life, there could be an employer looking for the skills you have.

We were founded by logistics, supply chain and procurement specialists, and our consultants are all from these backgrounds too, so we have in-depth knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers come to us to find candidates because they’re confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate managers and executives.

When we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise, so do get in touch if you’re looking for a job in logistics.

To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Operations Manager for your business or find you a job as a Operations Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

Contact us