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Engineering Recruitment

How to Hire a Operations Manager in the UK (2026)

Running the day-to-day operation efficiently and safely. Hiring an Operations Manager.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing engineering and manufacturing professionals from the shop floor to Operations Director across the UK.
Mark's Linkedin Profile

An Operations Manager keeps the site running - people, output, safety and cost, day in day out. It's a demanding, hands-on leadership role where a calm head and a grip on the detail matter as much as strategy.

⚡ In short

A UK Operations Manager typically earns £50k-£70k plus benefits. Expect a placement in 5-9 weeks. Coburg Banks recruits them with no fee until your hire starts.

£50k-£70k

Typical base salary

5-9 weeks

Time to hire

48 hrs

To first shortlist

12 wks

Replacement guarantee

What to look for in a Operations Manager

1

Operational grip

Ask how they've improved output, cost or efficiency with real numbers.

2

People leadership

They lead supervisors and teams. Look for someone who builds a strong, accountable culture.

3

Safety and standards

Probe how they've driven safety and quality without slowing the operation.

How to run the hire

1. Define the operation
Be clear on site size, output, team and the challenges they'll own.

2. Score for delivery and leadership
Weight measurable operational improvement and the ability to lead a workforce.

3. Source and approach
Approach candidates with relevant operational scale directly.

4. Test with a scenario
Use a bottleneck, quality issue or staffing problem to hear their approach.

5. Reference results
Confirm they improved the operation and led the team well.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire an Operations Manager?

Fees typically run 18-22% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront.

Nothing is due until your hire starts.

How long does it take to hire an Operations Manager?

Usually 5-9 weeks.

The main variable is how specific your industry and scale are - a niche process narrows the pool.

What does an Operations Manager do?

An Operations Manager runs the day-to-day operation of a site or function - overseeing production, people, safety, quality and cost.

They turn plans into delivered output and keep the operation running efficiently and safely.

What's the difference between Operations and Production Manager?

A Production Manager focuses on making the product. An Operations Manager usually has a broader remit spanning production plus wider functions.

Titles vary by business, so we scope the real scope.

What should I ask an Operations Manager at interview?

Try: Tell me about an operational improvement you drove and the numbers.
How do you handle a sudden staffing shortage?
How do you balance safety and output? and How do you build accountability in a team?

Do you recruit Operations Managers across industries?

Yes, across manufacturing, food production, engineering and logistics.

We match sector experience where the process matters and prioritise operational leadership where it's transferable.

External citations

Ready to hire your next Operations Manager?

Tell us about your role and a specialist engineering recruiter will call you. No fee until your hire starts.