Operations Manager - Redditch

At Morgan Advanced Materials, our rich history and dedication to innovation define who we are. Since our establishment in the UK in 1856, we have expanded globally, now operating across 70 sites in 18 countries. Our goal is to create a more sustainable world and enhance quality of life. We actively pursue this purpose through the development and production of advanced materials. 

Within our business unit, we specialise in innovating cutting-edge carbon, graphite, and carbide products that deliver outstanding performance. We use our expertise to tackle complex challenges across many diverse industries to provide effective solutions for our valued customers. 

Our products are shaping a better future; from enabling electric cars to charge faster and drive longer distances to maximising the operational efficiency of wind turbines. We are proud to help generate power for billions of people, deliver water to drought-stricken regions, improve the efficiency of industrial pumps, and protect lives both on the land and in the air. 

Key Figures: Revenue £1,100.7m (2024), ~8,000 employees, manufacturing in 20+ countries, and a global customer portfolio. A UK PLC with head office located in Windsor, Berkshire UK.  Listed on London Stock Exchange; Member of the FTSE 250 Index.

OVERVIEW & SCOPE OF ROLE

The Operations Manager for the Redditch manufacturing plant will lead the site’s operations, with full respect of Morgan’s Responsible Business Programme, with the support of their direct reports (Quality & EHS Lead, Production Assistant, Production Team Leaders). They will engender a strong culture of active leadership to drive safe, efficient, productive manufacturing, deliver positive employee relations, and deliver an environment where continuous improvement is a way of life; and where effective multi-channel communication is the norm. They will represent the site positively to all stakeholders including customers, local authorities and the public.

Redditch belongs to the Performance Carbon business division, which is focused on developing and manufacturing high-performance products based on carbon, graphite, and silicon carbide materials for mission-critical industrial applications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & REPONSIBILITIES

Financial Results

• Implement efficient, productive working practices through a programme of continuous improvement. Driving down cost through error free manufacturing.
• Sustainable, profitable growth is the mission for Performance Carbon globally. As such the site under the guidance of the post-holder will seek to deliver year on year improvements to the operating and production margins at Redditch through better organised manufacturing, more cost-effective sourcing and higher levels of quality performance.
• In conjunction with the local and the global team, develop and maintain a suite of easily communicable and transparent key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure current performance, identify trends and drive improvements in future performance.

Strategy

• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of site core values as well as mid- to long-term site strategies in order to create a cohesive unit that is responsive to increasing demands and changing market dynamics.

Business Development

• Develop a deep understanding of the company product range and the dynamics of the materials in which the business operates.
• Working with the applications engineering, commercial and technology groups, seek to build a product pipeline of easily reproduced, products that drive greater sales and profit margins for the company.

Operations

• Ensure all site activities are conducted in a safe and environmentally compliant manner.
• Create and maintain a positive and collaborative employee relations environment in order to drive required quality levels through uninterrupted production.
• Represent the site to existing and new customers, suppliers, local authorities, and the public in order to build and sustain a positive site and brand image.
• To contribute to the wider Morgan Advanced Materials group through encouraging best practice sharing, identification of business opportunities and other activities as requested.
• Manage, communicate & coordinate capital investment proposals to support justifiable product or process improvements in line with the site or wider Morgan strategies & business development plans

People & Culture

• Through dynamic, strong personal leadership, and with the support of the business Senior Management Team engender a motivated and engaged team to deliver goals effectively and efficiently.
• Identify and deliver the necessary resource, development and succession plans in order to create a high performing site ready to deliver on future years’ targets.
• Manage multi-level communications to create a sense of purpose for the site and a sense of belonging to a wider Morgan Advanced Materials organisation.

Environmental, Safety, Risk & Compliance

• Champion a strong EHS culture including ensuring that safety KPIs are regularly reviewed and addressed accordingly, ensuring that all EHS policies, procedures and statutory documentation is up to date, adhered to and available to all employees on site, ensuring that all staff are competent, adequately trained and supported to enable them to carry out their duties safely.
• Ensure that all employees, visitors and contractors are, without exception, aware of and adhering to all Morgan Advanced Materials policies and procedures with regard to EHS.
• Maintain a robust internal control environment in order to comply with national UK regulations and Morgan Advanced Materials plc policies
• Champion the ‘thinkSafe’ initiative and personally lead the development of our safety culture within the Redditch site.

EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

Requirements of Role

• Graduate with the minimum of a first degree in a relevant field of study (e.g. materials science, engineering, operations management).
• An uncompromising approach to EH&S.
• Fluency in English and a 2^nd European language preferred but not essential.
• Experience of managing engineering, production and technical departments. Previous experience of working within a large organisation is preferable.
• Understanding of carbon-graphite and/or silicon carbide materials would be desirable. Previous experience of working in the materials, precision machining (vanes, sealing and bearing components) industry would be advantageous.
• A change agent with a track record of delivering sustained change.
• Financial acumen and numeric aptitude - a thorough understanding of managing a P&L would be advantageous although it will be acceptable to have a strong background of working with management accounting including margin management.
• Proven track record of strong, influential leadership.
• Strong people management skills and cultural awareness.
• Demonstrable experience of dealing with employee relations issues.

Competencies

• • Business Acumen – Knowledgeable in current and aware of potential future external policies, practices trends affecting the organisation and markets.
  • Driven for Results – Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully. Pushes self and others for results whilst accepting no compromise to safety, quality and business integrity.
  • Customer Focus – Establishes and maintains effective relationships with internal and external customers and gains their trust and respect.
  • Negotiation – Can skilfully negotiate in tough situations with both internal and external groups. Can win concessions without damaging relationships.
  • Directing Others – Effectively establishes clear direction. Maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results.   Manages the balance of being a coach, a collaborator and leader.

Morgan Advanced Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Ind-1