Operations Director

About Us

Welland Medical brings to market the best and most innovative products that enhance the lives of people living with a stoma across the world. Investing in the most talented people, collaborating to create world-class, ground-breaking products and services devoted to improving peoples’ lives.We are passionate about making a difference in the world.

Welland Medical is a part of Clinimed Holdings Limited, a prominent figure in the Healthcare and Medical Equipment sector. Clinimed Holdings Limited comprises a group of companies established in 1982 through the acquisition and formation of various entities within the group.

We believe that investing in our people is critical to our success and we’re committed to helping our employees develop their skills, advance their careers, and achieve their professional goals.

We’re proud of our company culture, which is built on a foundation of collaboration, teamwork, and open communication. Our employees are passionate, driven, and committed to delivering the best possible results for our customers.

Summary of the Role

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in directing and managing the production areas by organising and monitoring staff, materials, processes, and products to achieve the required productivity and quality performance that are aligned to the strategic objectives of the company.

To collaborate with the Technical Director to ensure that equipment utilisation is optimised and performs efficiently, operations are safe, production and customer demands are achieved, quality is assured, and operating costs are controlled.

In collaboration with the Technical Director, you will drive innovation in the manufacturing process, identifying opportunities for process and machine performance improvements and implementing a continuous improvement culture across the operations department.

You will be a transformational leader creating an operational excellence organisation, competently trained people resources, capable to meet the needs of the business and customer demands.  Understanding the needs of the business and aligning the development of the operational areas to deliver.

Responsibility for production planning, resource management, and developing a continuous improvement culture across all shifts, providing a strategic and hands on focus on continuous improvement, employee engagement, exceptional communication, and achievement of agreed targets.

Responsible for the effective development and implementation of the manufacturing production plan.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

• As an integral member of the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors you will be accountable for the achievement of the company key strategic goals, including sales and profit targets.

• Responsible for the setting and delivery of strategic goals, operational objectives, and indicators, maximising efficiency and productivity through extensive process analysis and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Participation in the process of creating, controlling, and delivering against budget and KPI’s, to ensure operational efficiency and increased productivity.
• Lead on transformational continuous improvement projects that will enable Welland to be an exceptional (world class) manufacturer of Ostomy Products, identifying opportunities for CI projects and / or process improvement, waste reduction & control.
• Oversee the planning and organisation of the colleague led production processes and ensure availability of necessary material, equipment and labour resources required for a successful delivery.

• Drive an inquisitive mindset within own teams, through robust daily meeting cadence and KPI metrics utilized through visible displays, driving decisions, and finding opportunities to “Be better always”.

• Reports deviations from the standard and takes appropriate measures and corrective actions.

• Work collaboratively with the senior leadership team, leading by example to provide input into product manufacturing.

• Attending and reporting monthly for the Senior Leadership meetings and Welland Board meetings, reporting on progress against KPIs.
• Minimise rejects and scrap rates in accordance with set targets.
• Support Technical Director, R&D Director and QARA Manager with validation of equipment and new products/materials ensuring all relevant testing is completed and documentation approved, including involvement to support factory layout changes where required.
• Ensure products are subject to proper evaluation & pre-production runs in line with APQP.
• Ensure that colleagues have the best possible working conditions, through the development of HS&E systems and policies to prevent unreasonable health and safety risks in conjunction with Technical Director and Health & Safety Manager.
• Develop a management style within the organization that encourages teamwork, innovation, people participation and development, in line with the company values.
• Receive organizational goals and customer requirements and lead the operations teams to develop strategies and methods to meet them.
• Develop budgets and assure compliance with budgetary requirements in accordance with Clinimed Holdings and Welland Medical Company procedures, developing and implementing appropriate cost reduction systems where appropriate.
• Responsible for empowering members of the organization to implement ISO standards and other regulatory standards applicable.

 

People Management

• Supervising and directing all appropriate personnel responsible for every stage of operations to ensure the on-time delivery of high-quality and cost-effective products.

• Organise supervision, labour & equipment to achieve production demand with maximum labour & machine efficiency, and minimum overtime.

• Lead, coach, mentor and develop the production team to include hydrocolloid, machine setting, operatives, stores & packing teams and supervision to drive best practice.

• Management and encouragement to facilitate the self-development of colleagues, aligned with current job and career opportunities. Giving opportunities and due recognition for achievements. Assessing employees, the right way. Defines goals for the team, responsibilities and controls their implementation. Organizes the work of production staff.
• Work closely with Human Resources to lead the team with integrity and to establish and maintain a trusting, inclusive, and productive environment.
• Ensure all relevant training, development and succession planning is maintained to the highest standard for the department, to ensure the development of resources, ensuring continuity and career path promotional opportunities.
• Develop a management style within the organization that encourages teamwork, innovation, people participation and development, in line with the company values.

• Conduct regular 1-1 with teams and twice-yearly performance and development reviews in accordance with the company’s commitment to staff development.

 

Other Duties:

Adherence to the Company’s Health and Safety policy at all times and operate and promote the development of quality standards and procedures taking ownership of tasks and to seek new improved ways of doing things.

A degree of flexibility is required, and the job holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above and which will be appropriate to the level of the role.  All duties must be carried out in compliance with the company Quality System, Health and Safety Policies and regulations set out in the Medical Device Directive.

Quality is an integral part of the company’s mission to deliver innovative products and service.  All members of staff are responsible for operating and promoting the development of quality standards and procedures.

Continuous Improvement – The company is committed to a culture of continuous improvement.  All members of staff are expected to take ownership of tasks and seek new and improved ways of doing things.

 

About You:

Qualifications:

• Preferably educated to degree level in a relevant field such as science or technology, with a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing operations.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent.

 

Experience:

• Essential hands-on experience in leading, motivating, and developing a substantial operations team is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in pertinent manufacturing, quality control, and supply chain/logistics processes is essential.

• Experience collaborating within a senior management team to formulate and execute strategies.

• Project management experience, including planning, execution, and oversight within a manufacturing setting.

• Demonstrated financial acumen, utilizing financial metrics to manage manufacturing operations.

• Safety and regulatory compliance management within a manufacturing environment.

• Preferably, possess experience in leading continuous improvement initiatives, utilizing Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to drive enhancements in processes and efficiency improvements.

 

Skills

• Extensive leadership, management, and interpersonal skills honed at a senior level within manufacturing, demonstrating the ability to lead, motivate, and empower teams to achieve objectives.

• Strategic thinking, capable of formulating and implementing strategies to enhance manufacturing processes and accomplish company goals.

• Technical proficiency, possessing a deep understanding of manufacturing intricacies including processes, quality control, supply chain management, and inventory control.

• Analytical prowess, adept at analyzing complex data and making informed decisions based on insights.

• Effective communication skills, capable of articulating complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Proficient in project management, skilled in planning, executing, and overseeing projects to ensure timely delivery, within budget, and meeting required standards.

• Commitment to continuous improvement (CI), dedicated to enhancing processes and systems to boost efficiency, minimize waste, and enhance quality.

• Financial acumen, with a solid grasp of financial metrics and the ability to manage facilities with a focus on cost reduction, revenue growth, and profit optimization.

• People management, adept at leading and developing teams of manufacturing professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.

• Safety and compliance expertise, knowledgeable about safety and regulatory requirements (including QMS), ensuring adherence to all safety and regulatory laws and standards in manufacturing operations.

• Strong multitasking abilities, skilled in prioritizing workloads, delegating tasks, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative.