Operations Director

We are the internal recruitment partner for our client, an established, internationally focused science and manufacturing SME, we are supporting them in their search for an ambitious and commercially minded Head of Operations.

With a strong reputation for scientific rigour, integrity and technical excellence, the business has an established international customer and supplier base and is entering an exciting period of continued growth.

This is a highly influential senior leadership position, offering the opportunity to shape the organisation’s financial performance, people strategy and operational effectiveness.

About the role:

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you’ll be a hands-on generalist who can run the day-to-day business, taking ownership across finance, people, operations and administration. You’ll bring commercial insight, financial discipline and practical operational leadership, helping ensure the business runs smoothly while supporting sustainable growth.

This is not a traditional finance role. You’ll operate at both a strategic and hands on level, with responsibility spanning financial planning and reporting, cash management, international trade, R&D tax, HR, payroll, systems, facilities and operational processes.

You’ll work closely with the Managing Director, operational teams, Science and Engineering colleagues and a range of established external professional advisers.

What we're looking for:

We are seeking an experienced operational leader who combines strong commercial awareness with a practical, hands-on approach. You should be a resourceful, low-ego operator who picks up new tools, systems, and domains quickly.

You should be comfortable using tools (including AI)  to get up to speed quickly in unfamiliar regulatory and technical areas and know when to bring in the right expertise.

You don't need to be a qualified accountant; however, strong financial literacy is essential for success in this role. You will be confident interpreting budgets, costs, cash flow, margins, operational performance metrics, and wider commercial data, using these insights to make informed decisions and understand the financial impact of operational activities.

We are looking for someone who can translate numbers into meaningful business actions, balancing operational priorities with commercial objectives to drive profitability, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• You’ll drive day-to-day operational efficiency and process improvement, solving problems hands-on and generally getting things done.
• Lead the company’s financial strategy, business planning and growth initiatives; provide commercial insight, analysis and KPI reporting; prepare budgets, forecasts and long-term financial plans; supervise the Finance Manager; and oversee monthly management accounts and year-end statutory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, tax and statutory requirements; manage cash flow, working capital and banking relationships; maintain strong financial controls, governance and internal procedures; liaise with auditors, accountants, insurers and professional advisers; and coordinate R&D tax credit claims, including identifying qualifying projects and costs, maintaining supporting documentation, ensuring compliance and monitoring available incentives and grants.
• Manage the financial aspects of international trading, including foreign currency exposure, import/export requirements, VAT and international tax compliance, supplier payments and customer terms; support inventory management, costing and margin analysis; and monitor profitability across products, customers and regions.
• Coordinate and organise company logistics, including procurement, subcontracting, distribution and temporary exports for exhibitions; negotiate rates and manage shipping suppliers, carriers and freight forwarders.
• Ensure international shipping documentation and import/export declarations comply with customs laws and global trade regulations.
• Oversee accurate and compliant monthly payroll; manage employee benefits including pensions, Permanent Health Insurance, Death in Service, EV schemes and other benefit programmes; liaise with payroll providers, pension administrators and external advisers; and maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Manage company insurance policies, including employer’s liability, public liability, professional indemnity, travel and property insurance, and liaising with brokers and insurers on renewals, claims and policy administration.
• Oversee company premises and facilities administration, including lease renewals and rates, and manage relationships with landlords and management agents.
• Lead and implement HR strategy, policies and procedures aligned with business objectives and growth; work with the HR Business Partner on HR strategies and initiatives; support organisational, workforce and succession planning; and ensure compliance with UK employment legislation and accurate HR records, contracts and policies.
• Oversee employee relations including disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance matters; oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and development; promote engagement, wellbeing, retention and an inclusive culture; and drive health, safety and compliance by working with operational leadership to embed a proactive safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, minimise risk and protect employee wellbeing.
• Oversee Finance and HR systems, including accounting, payroll, HRIS and business systems, ensuring data integrity, security and efficiency; lead system improvements, automation and reporting enhancements; and work with internal stakeholders and external providers on upgrades, integration and digitalisation.
• Maintain robust system controls, user access governance, data protection and cybersecurity awareness.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Required experience:

• A senior operational or general management leadership role with strong financial literacy.
• Experience within manufacturing, engineering or supply chain sectors.

• Experience operating within a fast-paced SME or owner-managed business environment.
• Experience managing international financial operations and multi-currency transactions.
• Strong understanding of management accounting, cash flow and operational finance.
• Excellent commercial awareness and analytical capability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A hands-on, commercially minded leader who can think strategically while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Live within a commutable distance to the offices based in Rochester

Preferred experience:

• Experience managing UK R&D tax credit claims within a scientific or engineering environment.
• Experience with ERP systems within manufacturing.
• Previous experience supporting business growth or transformation projects.
• Proven experience leading the successful implementation and rollout of IT systems, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement, seamless adoption and minimal disruption to business operations.
• Knowledge of international trade finance and import/export processes.
• Qualified accountant holding CIMA, ACCA, ACA, ICAS or an equivalent recognised professional accounting qualification; candidates with strong financial literacy and relevant operational or commercial experience are equally encouraged to apply.

In return we are offering:

•  Competitive salary: circa £80,000, depending on experience
• Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Holiday entitlement: 33 days per year, inclusive of bank and public holidays
• Pension: Employer contribution of 7.5%
• Death in Service: Available, subject to eligibility
• Permanent Health Insurance: Available, subject to eligibility

Interested? Then APPLY now for immediate consideration.