Operations Manager - South West

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 the South West

A region that encompasses Bristol, Gloucester, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as the Isles of Scilly, the South West is a diverse area that offers a broad range of opportunities for those seeking Operations Manager positions.

As demonstrated by the ancient monuments like Stonehenge and the Roman ruins in Bath, the South West has been settled for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest complete human skeleton ever found in the UK was discovered in Cheddar Gorge and dates back to around 7150 BC.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, much of the South West relied on fishing and shipping, particularly in Bristol, a city which harboured vessels that traded with Ireland, Iceland and the Americas. Later, it became known for coal mining, as well as heavy industry.

Today, aeronautics is an important part of the South West economy, and a number of companies have facilities in the region - such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. There's also Defence Equipment and Support - the MoD's procurement and logistics agency.

Cheese, clotted cream and other dairy products are made in the region, with companies including Dairy Crest, which makes Cathedral City and Davidstow. Other food and beverage manufacturers include Ginsters, Ryvita, Kraft Foods UK and Beverage Brands, makers of WKD vodka. Meanwhile GSK manufactures Lucozade and Ribena in Coleford.

In addition, Princess Yachts, Siemens Traffic Controls, Merlin Entertainments, Endsleigh Insurance, Westland Helicopters and Wincanton plc are all based in the region.

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.

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