Operations Manager (Cork, Ireland)

Reporting to the Site Director, the Operations Manager is responsible for leading the site's manufacturing operations and logistics activities to ensure the safe, compliant and efficient production and distribution of high-quality products.

The role provides leadership to Operations and Logistics teams, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures alignment of operational activities with site and business objectives.

The Operations Manager is a key member of the Cork Site Leadership Team and plays a critical role in promoting a strong culture of safety, quality, operational excellence and employee engagement.

The responsibilities and accountabilities of the role will include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide leadership, direction and support to Operations and Logistics teams to ensure safe, efficient and compliant manufacturing operations.
• Lead and develop a strong operational culture focused on safety, quality, continuous improvement and employee engagement.
• Establish operational priorities and ensure alignment with site and business objectives.
• Collaborate with all other site functions to achieve operational objectives.
• Foster strong cross-functional relationships and contribute as an active member of the Site Leadership Team.
• Perform other duties as required to support site operations and business objectives.

• Monitor and improve key performance indicators including safety, quality, productivity, yield, waste, reliability, cost performance and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• Ensure production plans are executed safely and effectively to meet customer demand, service requirements and business objectives.
• Review production and operational performance data and implement actions to improve efficiency, quality and overall site performance.
• Support customer satisfaction through delivery of quality products, operational reliability and responsiveness to customer requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and support to resolve recurring process and operational issues impacting plant performance.
• Lead root cause investigations and ensure the timely implementation of effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs).

• Drive operational excellence through the implementation of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies and best practice initiatives.
• Drive site-wide continuous improvement programmes including process optimisation, reliability improvement, cost reduction and debottlenecking initiatives.
• Promote and support the effective implementation of 5S, visual management and continuous improvement methodologies throughout the site.
• Support capital investment projects and ensure operational requirements are incorporated into project planning and execution.

• Lead and support the logistics team to ensure the efficient, safe and cost-effective distribution of products in line with customer and business requirements.
• Oversee the performance of the external warehousing provider, ensuring inventory accuracy, service levels, regulatory compliance, cost control and alignment with site operational objectives.
• Monitor logistics and warehousing performance through the use of agreed KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure effective coordination between Operations, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain and external warehousing partners to support inventory management and customer delivery requirements.
• Manage the relationship with third-party logistics and warehousing providers, ensuring effective communication, issue resolution and performance against agreed service levels.
• Support inventory management activities and ensure robust controls are maintained across both on-site and off-site storage locations.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Customer Service teams to ensure customer delivery requirements are achieved and potential supply risks are identified and mitigated.
• Provide leadership and support to the Materials Controller to ensure effective inventory management, material availability and alignment with production and customer requirements.

• Ensure compliance with all Safety, Health, Environmental, Quality, GMP and Food Safety requirements.
• Promote Process Safety Management (PSM) principles and ensure operational risks are appropriately identified, assessed and controlled.
• Lead investigations into safety, quality and environmental incidents and ensure effective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure compliance with site procedures, regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Ensure operational compliance with all environmental permits, licences and regulatory requirements, including waste, emissions and effluent management.

• Develop, coach and mentor employees, supporting individual development and succession planning.
• Conduct performance reviews, set clear expectations and maintain accountability for individual and team performance.

• Degree in Chemical Engineering (highly preferred), Chemistry or related technical discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 10 years' experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within pharmaceutical, food, chemical or other regulated industries.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, preferably managing production teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience gained working within an automated, process-controlled production setting.
• Proven experience driving continuous improvement and operational improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within GMP, Food Safety and/or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or related continuous improvement experience would be advantageous.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems would be beneficial.

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong planning, organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and make effective decisions.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Results-oriented with a proactive and hands-on leadership style.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and operational excellence