Operations Manager

SF Recruitment are working with an innovative, award winning start up manufacturing business in Birmingham to recruit an operations manager. This is a newly created role to define the supply chain & operations strategy, whilst managing sub-contract manufacturers to ensure part quality & specification meet standards needed. An exciting opportunity to join a high potential business at a key time in their journey,

What You’ll Do

Own the full supply chain:
Manage purchasing and relationships across 30+ global suppliers, oversee POs, shipments, payments, and maintain strong supplier performance on cost, quality, and lead times.

Optimise logistics & cost:
Plan inbound freight (sea, air, courier), manage customs/import compliance, and ensure parts arrive on time at our UK contract manufacturer.

Keep inventory tight & accurate:
Run stock control systems (ERP/MRP), track consumption and rejects, and maintain clean, reliable inventory levels across suppliers and production.

Lead quality across the board:
Verify part quality, implement QC/QA checkpoints, manage NCRs, and ensure every unit meets safety and performance standards

Control the BOM:
Keep the Bill of Materials accurate, up to date, and aligned with engineering changes—ensuring production always builds from the latest revision.

Drive production execution:
Act as the main operations owner for our contract manufacturer. Improve processes, reduce bottlenecks, boost yields, and ensure we hit production targets.

Run engineering changes:
Own the lifecycle of ECRs, propagate updates through suppliers and production, and track impact on cost, lead time, and stock.

Solve real problems, fast:
Help diagnose issues across mechanical, electrical, PCBA, and assembly systems, working with engineering and suppliers to implement durable fixes.

What You Bring

• 5–10+ years in supply chain, hardware operations, production engineering, or manufacturing (consumer electronics or startup experience ideal).
• Strong mechanical and electrical understanding—comfortable with machining, tolerances, PCBs, wiring, assemblies, and DFM/DFA.
• Experience working with Asian/Chinese supply chains and contract manufacturers.
• Skilled in MRP/ERP systems, BOM management, vendor negotiation, and scaling production from prototype to mass manufacturing.
• Highly organised, detail-obsessed, strong communicator, and calm under pressure.
• A true hands-on, ownership-driven, startup operator.