Business Manager

Manufacturing Business Manager / Operations Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially focused Manufacturing Business Manager to join a well-established manufacturing business in Leeds. Reporting to senior group leadership, you will take overall responsibility for business performance, combining strategic planning with hands-on operational management to drive growth, profitability and continuous improvement.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day running of the manufacturing plant, ensuring operational efficiency, productivity, quality and profitability.
• Manage staff, suppliers, machinery and manufacturing processes to maintain a safe, effective and high-performing operation.
• Take full responsibility for profit and loss, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning, working closely with senior leadership.
• Develop and implement annual and long-term business plans, driving continuous improvement and commercial growth.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management and employee relations activities to support workforce development.
• Oversee sales and marketing activities, maintain key customer relationships and identify opportunities to win new business.
• Identify, negotiate and manage relationships with agents and distributors in overseas markets.
• Champion exceptional levels of customer service, quality and professional standards throughout the business.
• Prepare quotations, issue work orders and release jobs into production while managing workflow and production schedules.
• Monitor stock levels, conduct stock takes and manage the purchasing of materials and packaging to support production requirements.
• Coordinate specialist external processing activities, including stock selection, packing, shipping documentation, sample tracking and quality monitoring.
• Maintain accurate production, stock, dispatch and material records to support efficient operations and quality standards.
• Oversee site maintenance activities and take a practical, hands-on approach, supporting production, packing and dispatch functions where required.

To be successful in this role, you will have significant senior-level experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment and a proven ability to lead both people and business performance.

• Senior management experience within manufacturing or engineering, including hands-on shop floor leadership.
• Knowledge of traditional manufacturing machinery and processes, including lathes, milling machines and grinding equipment.
• Demonstrable experience of budgeting, financial planning and profit and loss management.
• A successful track record of business leadership, team development, recruitment and employee management.
• Experience working towards sales targets, analysing markets and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Strong commercial awareness, communication skills and the confidence to make informed business decisions.
• A good understanding of HR procedures and employment legislation.
• Experience with production planning, job costing, quotations, purchasing and stock control.
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality and customer service.
• A proactive and practical approach with the flexibility to support operational tasks when required.

For further information or to discuss your application, please contact:

Emily Clarke

Specialising in Business Support Recruitment