Senior Operations Manager

About the Role

Walker Cole International is collaborating with a prominent global medical device company to find a Senior Operations Manager to join their manufacturing leadership team based in Cork, Ireland. This role offers a chance to lead a high-performing manufacturing team, spearhead operational excellence efforts, and help drive strategic growth at a top-tier production facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations with a focus on achieving safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets strategically.
• Manage and develop large, cross-disciplinary manufacturing teams to encourage a culture of high performance through coaching, mentoring, and planning for team succession.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement programs aimed at boosting operational efficiency, productivity, and overall business results.
• Collaborate closely with departments including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to enhance manufacturing performance and align with business strategies.
• Track and enhance critical operational KPIs to consistently meet goals related to safety, quality, service, and financial outcomes.
• Support initiatives such as new product introductions, process improvements, and capacity expansion throughout the manufacturing site.
• Oversee departmental budget management, resource allocation, and forecasting aligned with site objectives.
• Ensure strict adherence to Quality Management Systems, regulatory standards, and Environmental Health & Safety protocols.
• Promote employee engagement programs that foster an inclusive, cooperative work environment.
• Participate actively in the senior leadership team to help shape the site’s strategic direction and long-term growth.

Candidate Profile

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a closely related field.
• Bring extensive leadership experience in regulated manufacturing sectors such as Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, or Biotechnology.
• Have a proven track record of managing large manufacturing teams in dynamic production environments.
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement practices.
• Track record of delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency.
• Strong skills in leadership, communication, and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Experience overseeing operational budgets, resource management, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Capable of data-driven problem-solving for making operational decisions.
• Familiarity with FDA, ISO 13485, and GMP regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership in multinational medical device manufacturing companies.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience contributing to manufacturing scale-up, automation, or new product introduction efforts.
• Involvement in broad site strategic planning and organizational development.