Operations Director

Aldus is a leading supplier to the print, packaging and precision engineering industries. Founded in Australia in 1949, the Aldus Group now has operating businesses in foils, printing solutions, labelling, coding, inks, consumables and precision engineering. Its brands include Tronics, Milford Astor, API Transfer Technologies, Paragon Inks, Aldus Graphics and Foilmakers.

The European manufacturing arm of Aldus is headquartered in Livingston and consists of API Transfer Technologies and Paragon Inks, located over two separate sites. API Transfer Technologies was originally founded in London in 1783 and manufactures hot and cold stamping foils. Applications include a number of luxury and technical markets including luxury wines and spirits, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, vehicle licensing, greetings cards and textiles, producing world leading stamping foil products.

The Paragon Inks business was founded in Scotland in 1985 and provides a wide range of individual to complete packaged solutions for all printing, inks, labelling and coding needs. These two businesses became part of the Aldus Group in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Aldus products are recognised for their unparalleled quality and performance, have gained significant recognition and are trusted by many label and packaging customers and distributors worldwide.

About The Role

We are seeking to appoint a new Operations Director to the business and Senior Leadership Team of Aldus Europe, to take on full operational responsibility for the manufacturing facilities of both API Transfer Technologies and Paragon Inks. The Operations Director will contribute strongly towards the delivery of overall business growth strategy, with a focus on profit improvement, cost reduction, operational efficiencies, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement across the two sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the leadership team to deliver an operational strategy to enable the profitable growth of the business, optimising combined plant performance delivering optional excellence and further expanding site capabilities and profitability.
• Drive the commercial priorities of product mix and lean manufacturing techniques to maximise the profitability of each site.
• Lead formal feasibility study of full physical integration, ERP implementation and possible co-location of the two manufacturing facilities.
• Provide leadership to the Operations team, continually developing skills, knowledge and motivation to respond to a fast paced and ever-changing marketplace.
• Play a leading role in driving change and cultural integration of the two businesses, further developing a culture of One Aldus.
• Overall responsibility for associated CAPEX projects and their delivery
• Develop and maintain effective communication and relationships with suppliers, customers and all internal and external stakeholders to the benefit of the wider business.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will be an experienced Operations Director/Site Leader with a demonstrable track record of success in high volume, demanding production environments. Candidates will bring experience of driving continual improvement projects and a strong understanding of lean manufacturing methodologies to implement positive change.

They will have experience of delivering training and development for multi-functional teams which positively impact business, in a fast paced and margin sensitive organisation.

Finally, we require a good relationship builder with excellent communication skills. Somebody who can influence and bring people along with them, quickly establish rapport with the Managing Director, leadership team and all functional areas of the business.

Apply Now

To apply, please send a CV plus current remuneration package to Graham Burns/Megan Shearer of FWB at or call our Edinburgh office on for a confidential conversation.

Contact the team at FWB to discuss your individual or company requirements, or to discover more about our specialist services.