Operations Manager

A hands-on leadership role at the heart of specialist vehicle manufacturing. If you want to own the full operation - production planning, supply chain, facilities, and a team of people who build something genuinely unusual - this is worth a look.

About Flexi Narrow Aisle

Flexi Narrow Aisle designs and manufactures specialist narrow aisle forklift trucks - equipment used in warehouses and logistics operations across the world. Based in Tipton, West Midlands, the team builds vehicles to precise specifications in a hands-on manufacturing environment. This isn't a product that comes off a generic production line. Every truck is built to purpose, and the people on the shop floor know exactly what they're making and why it matters.

The role

Reporting to the Head of Operations, you'll lead all manufacturing operations across the specialist vehicle workshop. That means owning production planning from order intake to delivery, managing the supply chain and OEM procurement, overseeing facilities, and keeping a team of skilled people performing at their best. You'll have two direct reports - a Production Manager and a Planning and Quality Manager - and you'll be in the factory, visible and hands-on, every day.

This is not a desk job. The brief is straightforward: hit the targets consistently, keep the floor running, and build a culture where quality and safety aren't afterthoughts.

You'll:

Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across the specialist vehicle workshop
Own end-to-end production planning from order intake through to delivery
Manage workflow sequencing, resource allocation, and build schedules
Oversee OEM procurement and ensure material availability supports the production plan
Optimise workshop layout, equipment uptime, and facilities compliance
Monitor build progress, resolve bottlenecks, and enforce quality standards
Lead and develop your team, driving a continuous improvement culture
Manage budgets and drive cost efficiencies across the operation

What you'll bring

Essential:

A solid background in management within a manufacturing or production environment
Proven operations management experience, including production planning and supply chain
Demonstratable people management experience, with experience managing engineering, trades and shop-floor colleagues
OEM procurement experience, ideally in an engineering environment
Working knowledge of ERP or MRP systems
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a shop floor team

Useful, not essential:

Lean or continuous improvement qualification or practical experience
HNC/HND in Engineering or a related discipline
Experience in specialist or bespoke vehicle manufacturing specifically

Benefits

Financial: £65,000–£70,000 base salary, annual bonus, pension scheme, long service award with holiday increases.

Flexibility: 5-day week — Monday to Thursday 7am–4:30pm, Friday 7am–12:30pm. Finish lunchtime every Friday.

Wellbeing: Enhanced sick pay, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, enhanced bereavement leave.

Recognition: 32 days holiday including bank holidays, monthly recognition award, Christmas gift voucher.

Working arrangements

Location: Tipton, West Midlands | Fully on-site

Contract: Permanent | Full-time

Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:00am–4:30pm, Friday 7:00am–12:30pm

How to apply

If this sounds like the right move, click to apply and we'll be in touch. All applications are reviewed by a real person - every applicant gets a response.

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