Operations Manager - Manufacturing
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£55,000
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 1121 (99% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £55,000, and Coppice is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1121 Production managers and directors in manufacturing Most likely code | £38,500 | £44,000 | £49,500 | £55,000 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Operations Manager
📍 Blackmill, Bridgend | Coppice Packaging Group
Lead Operations. Drive Performance. Shape the Future.
Coppice is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Operations Manager to lead and integrate our manufacturing operation across our Coppice site. This is a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for Production, Engineering, Quality and Health & Safety, playing a key part in delivering operational excellence, continuous improvement and sustainable growth.
Reporting to the Divisional General Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary management team, ensuring the business delivers against key objectives in safety, quality, service, cost and people performance.
What You'll Be Doing
✅ Leading high-performing manufacturing operations across multiple functions
✅ Driving productivity, efficiency, labour utilisation and asset performance
✅ Championing a strong safety-first and quality-focused culture
✅ Delivering continuous improvement initiatives through Lean methodologies
✅ Leading operational transformation, systems optimisation and organisational change
✅ Managing operational budgets, cost controls and capital investment projects
✅ Developing and coaching managers to build future leadership capability
✅ Working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance and HR teams to achieve business objectives
What We're Looking For
You will be an established Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Plant Manager or similar senior operational leader with experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
You'll bring:
- Proven leadership experience across Production, Engineering, Quality and H&S
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
- Experience driving operational excellence and continuous improvement
- Lean Manufacturing and CI expertise (Six Sigma qualifications advantageous)
- A track record of leading change, improving performance and developing teams
Why Join Coppice?
At Coppice, our values drive everything we do:
One Team | Own It | Customer First | Right First Time | Better Every Day | Make It Count
You'll join a business that is investing in its future, committed to operational excellence and focused on developing talented leaders who can make a genuine impact.
Ready to take the next step in your leadership career?
Apply today and play a leading role in shaping the future success of one of the UK's most dynamic manufacturing businesses.
#OperationsManager #ManufacturingJobs #OperationsLeadership #FMCGJobs #PackagingIndustry #LeanManufacturing #ContinuousImprovement #EngineeringLeadership #BridgendJobs #SouthWalesJobs #Hiring
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Coppice, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Production managers and directors in manufacturing (SOC 1121) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~434k in sample- Middle half £41,236–82,680
- Median £56,940
- Going rate £55,000
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £38,500–49,500
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About sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Coppice holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 1121 going rate of £55,000. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.