INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.
Interim Operations & Transformation Director
Based in Cheshire
Job ref: JE/65218
Client Overview:
Listgrove has been retained by a specialist UK manufacturer of large and complex composite components and finished assemblies. The business provides customers with an integrated capability from design and project management through to moulding, machining, painting and final assembly. Core manufacturing technologies include high-pressure SMC compression moulding and low-pressure DCPD reaction injection moulding, supported by large-scale presses, robotic machining and automated and low-volume paint facilities.
Following the acquisition of the business, we are seeking an exceptional Interim Operations & Transformation Director to provide additional senior-level operational leadership and focused execution capability during the next phase of its development.
This is a hands-on transformation and delivery assignment, not a consultancy or advisory role.
Role Overview:
The successful individual will work alongside the existing Managing Director and management team to rapidly identify opportunities, establish clear priorities and personally drive the implementation and delivery of measurable improvements across quality, delivery, margin, manufacturing efficiency, systems, maintenance and organisational performance.
An equally important element of the assignment will be to mentor and develop the current Managing Director throughout the transformation. The Interim Director will provide experience, challenge, structure and support while ensuring that the MD progressively assumes ownership of the new operating disciplines and transformation programme.
The objective is therefore twofold:
- Deliver the transformation and required business results.
- Develop the MD and management team so that the improvements are sustainable following completion of the interim assignment.
The successful individual must combine strategic capability with a willingness to work directly on the factory floor and within individual processes to ensure that improvements are actually delivered.
The Ideal Candidate:
We are seeking a high-calibre senior manufacturing executive with a demonstrable track record of personally delivering operational transformation and developing management capability.
Likely previous experience will include Operations Director, COO, Manufacturing Director, Managing Director or Transformation Director roles within demanding manufacturing environments.
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
· Operational turnaround and transformation experience.
· Significant Cost of Quality reduction.
· Recovery of customer delivery performance.
· Product costing and margin improvement.
· Lean manufacturing, 5S and continuous improvement.
· ERP/business-system implementation.
· Maintenance and asset-performance improvement.
· Strong P&L and commercial understanding.
· Post-acquisition integration experience.
· Development and mentoring of senior management.
· The maturity and confidence to support an existing MD without seeking to take over their position.
The individual must be hands-on, pragmatic, commercially astute, data-driven and delivery focused, and equally comfortable challenging performance on the factory floor, reviewing product profitability with Finance, supporting the MD through difficult decisions and presenting progress to the Board.
Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is located. Evidence of the right to work may be required during the recruitment process
For reasons of readability, gender-specific language has been simplified. All references to individuals apply equally to people of all genders.
Why select Listgrove?
· Five Decades of Market Intelligence
· Unrivalled Industry Networks
· Recognised International brand
· HR Qualified Professionals
To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.
Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.
Performance through People.
Listgrove Limited Registered in England No: (phone number removed)
