Head of Operations

The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Head of Operations to take full operational responsibility for a well-invested manufacturing site within the packaging sector.
Reporting into the senior leadership team, the Head of Operations will play a pivotal role in driving production efficiency, operational performance and people capability, while shaping the future operational strategy of the business.
The site benefits from strong existing infrastructure, a supportive leadership culture and significant further investment planned over the coming years — making this an ideal role for a hands-on, improvement-focused operations leader who enjoys making a tangible impact.

The Role
As Head of Operations, you will have full responsibility for the day-to-day and strategic operational management of the site, covering production, warehousing, logistics, quality, health & safety and people leadership.
You will be empowered to work autonomously, identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes that enhance performance, efficiency and culture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the production and operational teams, creating a high-performance, engaged and accountable workforce
• Driving production efficiency through robust planning, scheduling and resource deployment
• Proactively identifying operational weaknesses and implementing practical, sustainable solutions
• Championing continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing principles across the site
• Overseeing quality assurance to ensure consistently high standards of product quality, print and presentation
• Full responsibility for Health & Safety, embedding a strong, visible safety culture across the operation
• Managing stock control, waste, fleet and preventative maintenance programmes
• Ensuring accurate production data and operational KPI reporting
• Working closely with commercial and senior stakeholders to ensure customer requirements are met
• Playing an active role within the senior management team, contributing to the wider strategic direction of the business
• Ensuring ongoing compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

The Person
This role will suit a confident, people-centric operations leader with a strong background in manufacturing or production environments, ideally within the corrugated or wider packaging industry. Other relevant manufacturing sectors will also be considered.
You will be a visible, credible and respected leader — supportive and collaborative in style, but firm, decisive and able to gain trust and buy-in at all levels.

Key experience and attributes include:

• Proven leadership experience in a senior operational or production management role
• Strong background in manufacturing, production efficiency and continuous improvement
• Experience managing and developing production teams within a target-driven environment
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the confidence to challenge and improve existing processes
• Excellent people management and communication skills
• Comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership for operational outcomes
• IOSH or similar Health & Safety qualification (desirable)
• Experience operating within ISO-accredited environments (ISO 9001 / ISO 14001)

Why This Role?
• Senior, influential role with genuine autonomy
• Opportunity to make immediate and long-term operational improvements
• Well-invested site with further capital investment planned
• Supportive, down-to-earth leadership team
• A business open to fresh ideas, energy and modern operational thinking

Cloud 9 is acting an Exclusively Retained Executive Search firm on this opportunity; all applications must be made through Cloud 9.