Operations Manager / Bespoke Manufacturing Bruton, England
Job description
Role: Operations Manager
Location: Bruton
Hours of Work: Full-time
Salary: From £58,000
About Longpré
Bespoke furniture makers, Longpré, founded in 1990 by master cabinet maker Paul Longpré and designer Helen Moyers, are based in the centre of the historic town of Bruton, Somerset. As bespoke craftspeople, we create the finest free-standing and fitted furniture to individual specification for many of the world’s most prestigious residential and commercial addresses.
Longpré is a family-owned, people-centred company, with a talented team of 60 craftspeople and industry professionals. Alongside our passion for creating beautiful, handmade furniture, lies a strong commitment to creating a progressive organisation - we consider everyone’s contribution to be of equal value and regard everyone’s opinions to be of equal importance. We believe that the business community should take a leading role in securing an ethical and sustainable world for future generations and at Longpré we are determined to play our part.
Role summary
As an exclusive luxury brand, our projects are high value and strategically complex, spanning the luxury residential, prestigious hospitality and flagship commercial sectors. Following significant development within our Growth Plan, we are now seeking to broaden our leadership team with the first-time appointment of an experienced, high-energy Operations Manager who shares our passion for the finest bespoke craftsmanship. Reporting directly to our Projects Director, and working alongside our Workshop Manager, this role will take responsibility for end-to-end operations management within our 60 strong team of craftspeople and industry professionals.
Strategic as well as operational, the Operations Manager will ensure the day-to-day management of Longpre’s operations process whilst participating in the overall long-term direction of the company. The fast-paced, results-based environment, requires a talented professional from a manufacturing background with a strong shop floor presence. Essential to the role is a hands-on approach to lead from the front, together with the interpersonal skills to build strong team relationships through a culture of open communication and collaboration.
Creating an ethical, sustainable business that contributes beyond its commercial interests is of paramount importance to the company, the Operations Manager will be a key player in the Longpré team as it achieves its wider societal goals.
Role responsibilities
Responsible for end-to-end operations management across our bespoke furniture workshops (to include: production planning and programming, production process, logistics, supply chain, procurement, sub-contractors, facilities and IT) whilst maintaining the highest levels of Health & Safety, quality assurance and environmental performance.
Responsible for the day-to-day leadership and support of our operations team across production planning and programming, logistics, Health & Safety, sub-contractors, procurement, facilities and IT.
Demonstrate a team-centric, ‘Team First’ mindset to keep Health & Safety and Wellbeing at the forefront of all company activities.
Responsible for the introduction and implementation of an on-going, holistic programme of development initiatives to improve operations team experience.
Work collaboratively with our Workshop Manager to develop a ‘right-first time’, ‘client-focussed’ quality culture. Ensure exceptional levels of client service, highest quality standards and products delivered on-time and in-full.
Responsible for efficient and effective resource planning and programming to maximize output capacity within the constraints of quality, cost and programme requirements.
Lead internal meetings to ensure timely and accurate multi-stake holder communications are maintained across the operations function.
Prepare accurate and timely operations reports for senior stakeholders to include KPIs, detailed production metrics and operations budget control.
Lead our Health & Safety function, supported by our Health & Safety and Facilities Officer and the company’s wider cross-functional Health & Safety team.
Play a key role in the development of the company’s operations process to achieve industry recognised accreditation in quality, environmental and Health & Safety management.
Play a key role in the introduction and implementation of Lean manufacturing methodology across the operations function.
Play a key role in the introduction and implementation of the company’s ‘Sustainability Plan’, driving the green transformation of operations process by implementing targeted actions to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ experience working as an Operations Manager within an assembly-based manufacturing SME or workshop environment. A background in the wood-working sector would be advantageous.
Proven experience of improvements made within an assembly-based manufacturing SME or workshop environment, utilising and implementing continuous improvement tools and techniques.
Health & Safety knowledge of a manufacturing environment.
Personal attributes
A keen appreciation of bespoke craftsmanship with a meticulous eye for detail.
Enthusiastic, hands-on team player with a natural motivation to realise potential in people and process.
Strong leadership and relationship management skills. Empathic and emotionally intelligent to effectively mentor and motivate.
An ability to promote the highest level of professional integrity across all stakeholder relationships to encourage a culture of trust and respect.
A skilful communicator, negotiator and mediator with an ability to keep stakeholders engaged and working towards a unified goal.
A keen interest in sustainable working practices.
Excellent decision making and problem-solving skills.
Process orientated, strong analytical capabilities, highly organised with expert time management and planning skills
Excellent IT, spoken/written English and numeracy skills
Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent industry qualification in a relevant sector
Health & Safety qualification (advantageous)
Full clean UK driving licence
Company benefits
We offer a comprehensive company benefits package.
Equal opportunities
Longpré is a family-owned, equal opportunities company, welcoming and encouraging applications from candidates from all backgrounds and identities. As a team-centric organisation, we endeavour to create a working environment where everyone feels valued.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: From £58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Bruton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
