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.

About Job:

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a crucial role in directing and overseeing production areas. This involves organizing and supervising staff, materials, processes, and products to achieve the necessary productivity and quality performance in line with the company's strategic objectives.

Collaborating closely with the Technical Director, you will ensure optimal equipment utilization and efficiency, maintain safety standards, meet production and customer demands, ensure quality assurance, and control operating costs.

Furthermore, you will work alongside the Technical Director to foster innovation in the manufacturing process, identifying opportunities for process and machine performance enhancements, and instilling a culture of continuous improvement throughout the operations department.

In your capacity as a transformational leader, you will establish an organization focused on operational excellence, equipped with well-trained personnel capable of meeting both business and customer requirements. Understanding the needs of the business and aligning the development of the operational areas to deliver.

Your responsibilities will encompass production planning, resource management, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all shifts. This involves providing strategic guidance and hands-on leadership, promoting employee engagement, facilitating exceptional communication, and ensuring the attainment of agreed-upon targets.

Additionally, you will be accountable for the efficient development and implementation of the manufacturing production plan.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Operational Responsibilities:

• As an integral member of both the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Directors, you will bear the responsibility for achieving the company's key strategic objectives, including sales and profit targets.

• You will be tasked with establishing and accomplishing strategic goals and operational objectives, leveraging extensive process analysis and fostering collaboration across departments to enhance efficiency and productivity.

• Your role will involve active involvement in budget creation, monitoring, and adherence to key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring operational efficiency and heightened productivity.

• Spearhead transformative continuous improvement initiatives aimed at positioning Welland as a leading manufacturer of Ostomy Products, identifying CI opportunities and driving process enhancements and waste reduction strategies.

• Oversee the planning and coordination of colleague-led production processes, ensuring the availability of essential materials, equipment, and labor resources for successful project completion.

• Foster a culture of inquiry within your teams, utilizing robust daily meetings and visible KPI metrics to drive decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.

• Promptly address deviations from established standards and implement corrective actions as needed.

• Collaborate closely with the senior leadership team, providing input into product manufacturing processes and strategies.

• Regularly attend and provide progress reports at monthly Senior Leadership and Welland Board meetings, focusing on KPI achievement.

• Strive to minimize rejects and scrap rates in line with established targets.

• Support the Technical Director, R&D Director, and QARA Manager in equipment and new product/material validation, ensuring compliance with testing protocols and documentation standards.

• Ensure proper evaluation and pre-production runs of products in accordance with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) guidelines.

• Work alongside the Technical Director and Health & Safety Manager to develop HS&E systems and policies that promote optimal working conditions and mitigate health and safety risks.

• Cultivate a management style that fosters teamwork, innovation, and employee development in alignment with company values.

• Translate organizational goals and customer requirements into actionable strategies for operations teams, guiding them towards successful implementation.

• Develop and manage budgets in compliance with Clinimed Holdings and Welland Medical Company procedures, implementing cost reduction systems where applicable.

• Empower organization members to implement and adhere to ISO standards and other relevant regulatory requirements.

People Management Responsibilities:

• Oversee and guide all relevant personnel across each stage of operations to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality, cost-effective products.

• Coordinate supervision, labor, and equipment to meet production demands with optimal efficiency in both labor and machine utilization, while minimizing overtime.

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities for the production team, including hydrocolloid specialists, machine operators, storekeepers, packing teams, and supervisors, to promote best practices.

• Encourage and support the self-development of colleagues, aligning their growth with current job roles and career pathways, and acknowledging and rewarding their achievements appropriately. Define team goals, responsibilities, and oversee their implementation, effectively organizing the work of production staff.

• Collaborate closely with Human Resources to lead the team with integrity, fostering a trusting, inclusive, and productive work environment.

• Ensure the maintenance of comprehensive training, development, and succession planning programs for the department, facilitating resource development, continuity, and opportunities for career advancement.

• Cultivate a management approach that emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and the growth and participation of individuals, in line with the company's core values.

• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with teams and semi-annual performance and development reviews, demonstrating the company's commitment to staff development.

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.