Operations Director – Schönebeck, Germany

Operations Director, Schönebeck (Elbe), Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Contract to hire: 6 to 8 months, converting to permanent staff based on performance

Authorisation to work in Germany required

Our client is a pan-European main contractor delivering data centre, life sciences and advanced technology construction projects. As part of a growing offsite manufacturing and prefabrication footprint, they are building out operations leadership at their Schönebeck facility, working closely with the sister site in Ireland to keep systems, scheduling and standards aligned across both locations.

Scope of the role: this position holds end to end responsibility for the manufacturing process at the Schönebeck facility, covering production scheduling, labour planning, work in progress tracking, and issue resolution. The successful candidate will integrate all aspects of production across the site and contribute to shaping the wider business unit as the manufacturing base grows.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure daily compliance with all safety regulations across the working environment
• Oversee daily operations, including supervision, coordination and control of work processes and production sequences
• Manage resources efficiently across manpower, equipment and materials
• Implement and maintain quality control measures so fabricated items meet required standards
• Lead and manage a team of workshop supervisors, including daily and weekly reporting, training and development
• Address issues arising on the workshop floor and make strategic decisions to improve efficiency and productivity
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure timely procurement of materials
• Schedule and oversee equipment maintenance to ensure optimal performance
• Liaise with other departments to ensure smooth operations and meet project requirements
• Interact directly with clients to understand their needs and provide solutions and estimates
• Work independently and take ownership of day to day operations and special tasks

Must-have requirements:

• 5 to 7 years of experience in a similar operations or production management role
• Third level qualification in engineering, construction, production or manufacturing
• Strong safety and quality consciousness, demonstrated through prior roles
• Hands-on experience with MRP (Material Requirement Planning) systems
• Working knowledge of mechanical plant systems, ventilation systems, process and high purity pipework, and HVAC systems
• Ability to work well under pressure within a strict deadline environment
• Excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills

Nice to have:

• Lean principles or Six Sigma Black Belt certification
• Strong PC literacy across Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• German and English bilingual
• Strong working knowledge of industry regulations and legislative guidelines.