Operations Manager
Derby
Full time
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Operations Manager to join the team in Derby.
In this role, you will lead, inspire and coach a team within a defined manufacturing area. You will be accountable for ensuring that customer commitments are met in full, measured against agreed HSE, quality, cost, delivery, people and responsiveness standards.
You will lead and manage a team of Production Leaders within the business, driving operational performance and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
What you will be doing:
HSE – Drive towards a performance and culture of Zero Harm. Be accountable for compliance with safety standards for all team members in the area. Drive the environmental, safety and wellbeing plan deployment for the area and deliver performance targets.
Product Safety – Be accountable for ensuring that all work is carried out in compliance with the required standard to ensure conformance to the engineering specification, and for promoting a product safety culture within the organisation.
Quality – Drive to Zero Defects. Work with all functions to reduce risks and drive product and service right first time. Ensure compliance with all relevant company, legislative and technical policies and standards.
Cost – Develop and manage the agreed people budget, including headcount, productivity and absenteeism. Understand and manage the cell cost centre budget and work with the team to drive productivity and reduce consumable cost.
Delivery – Deliver our products and services to customer commitments on time. Plan using load and capacity tools and manage bottlenecks and constraints to achieve flow through the cell. Understand WIP and inventory levels and drive to meet business targets.
People – Optimise the capability and capacity of the cell by developing a flexible team. Develop and motivate team members, ensuring they are trained, capable and effective.
Lean – Ensure that all relevant Production System minimum standards are fully deployed and sustained within the business in support of performance objectives, coaching the team to fully participate in continuous improvement.
Lead – Inspire the manufacturing team to consistently deliver high levels of performance through facilitation, coaching and the demonstration of lean leadership behaviours. Motivate, delegate and empower team members to act and make their own decisions.
Assets – Optimise the performance of manufacturing assets to maximise facility productivity and meet current and future customer demand. Understand current constraints and develop a future state.
Digital Manufacturing – Understand the digital systems and processes used to drive our manufacturing activity. Be competent in the use of tools to manage area and people performance and lead compliance with digital standards and processes. Ensure business strategy aligns to Rolls-Royce digital manufacturing standards and strategy. Communicate to the plant leadership team using digital tools and be able to communicate digital strategy and the use of innovative technology.
Position Qualifications:
A company-wide outlook and exposure to different challenges, cultures and ways of working.
Understanding and knowledge of multiple disciplines, demonstrating breadth of experience and an appreciation of product integrity.
A proven track record of delivering improved operational performance in both favourable and unfavourable conditions, utilising cross-functional teams.
Experience of deploying continuous improvement methodologies.
Preferred Requirements:
Management experience within an engineering industry would be advantageous but is not essential.
Higher education and/or attendance on leadership development programmes would be advantageous.
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
Please be aware that priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
Grade: Level C
Closing Date: 11th September 2026
People Leader: Mark Wiggins
For further information, please contact: Jaspreet Bagga
Manufacturing
26 Aug 2026; 00:08
11 Sept 2026
At Rolls-Royce, we're a force for progress: powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.
We’ve been at the forefront of innovation for more than a hundred years. Our engineering excellence is the power behind some of the most critical technologies used in the air, at sea and on land.
