Executive Search I

Operations Manager Recruitment

Appoint an Operations Manager who brings clarity, control, and day-to-day delivery to your SME.

We help SME owners, boards, and senior leaders recruit practical, results-driven Operations Managers who take ownership of daily performance, optimise internal processes, and ensure your business runs efficiently, so you can focus on strategy and growth.

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We recruit Operations Managers for SMEs with turnovers between £20M and £250M, businesses that need dependable, hands-on leadership to improve efficiency, increase output, and bring structure to day-to-day operations.

Appoint an Operations Manager Who Drives Daily Performance and Operational Control

Whether you're professionalising processes, managing multi-site teams, or preparing for the next phase of growth, we deliver Operations Managers who bring discipline, commercial awareness, and a strong grasp of on-the-ground execution. Our process is fast, focused, and designed for SMEs that need results — not red tape.

In the past two years, we’ve filled 100% of our retained operational leadership roles — placing Operations Managers who’ve improved productivity, reduced costs, streamlined reporting, and freed up senior leaders to focus on strategy.

From manufacturing and logistics to service-led businesses, we find Operations Managers who deliver control, clarity, and day-to-day impact.

How It Works: Our Search Process

Recruit director level talent in 12 weeks or less.

  • We begin every project with a formal strategy discussion to fully understand your business, structure, growth plans, and the leadership challenges you face. We confirm the scope of the role, commercial objectives, timescales, and fee terms before initiating any search activity.

  • Once terms are agreed, we prepare a detailed Assignment Brief outlining the role, responsibilities, business context, cultural environment, and ideal candidate profile. This document is approved by you and used to brief candidates consistently and professionally throughout the process.

  • We carry out a focused headhunting campaign across relevant sectors and leadership networks. This includes direct outreach, discreet advertising, referrals, and competitor mapping — tailored to attract commercially aligned directors with the capability to lead in fast-paced SME environments.

  • All shortlisted candidates are interviewed by our senior consultants and complete our in-depth Self-Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ). This provides deep insight into each candidate’s leadership style, career history, and operational decision-making — going well beyond a standard CV.

  • We present a carefully curated shortlist including candidate CVs, detailed consultant commentary, and SAQ insights. You’ll receive clear, structured feedback and comparative recommendations to support your selection process.

  • Once you’ve progressed to second-stage interviews, we conduct thorough, confidential verbal referencing. This includes targeted conversations with past colleagues to verify performance, leadership impact, and cultural fit — giving you complete confidence in your final decision.

  • We support you through salary discussions, offer negotiation, and onboarding. Because our fees are fixed and not linked to salary level, we maintain complete objectivity — focusing solely on securing the right long-term appointment for your business.

What sets us apart?

Specialist, Senior-Led Delivery

Every assignment is led by an experienced consultant - never passed to junior staff. We bring commercial acumen, market insight, and real leadership experience to every project, ensuring your search is handled with the focus and expertise it deserves.

Deeper Candidate Insight: The SAQ

Our proprietary Self-Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ) gives you unrivalled insight into each candidate’s leadership style, motivations, and behaviours. It goes far beyond a CV, helping you make better-informed decisions.

Unrivalled Candidate Reporting

Every candidate is presented with detailed consultant commentary, behavioural insight, and performance history, not just a CV. Our reports give you clarity, comparison, and the confidence to assess fit across strategic, cultural, and operational dimensions.

Fee Structures Built for SMEs

We offer transparent, fixed fees designed around the realities of SME budgets, without the inflated pricing models of traditional firms. You receive board-level quality with flexible terms and no hidden extras.

Access to Exceptional Talent

With over 30 years of experience, we have built deep networks across leadership functions. We find proven directors and rising leaders who are ready to create impact in fast-moving, scaling businesses.

Agile, Focused, Results-Driven

We’re an agile business, able to move quickly, adapt to your timelines, and stay aligned with your goals. We typically deliver fully assessed shortlists within 4–6 weeks, without compromising quality or process.

SME Operations Manager Recruitment Questions Answered

  • An Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations, improving processes, managing teams, and ensuring the business runs efficiently. They play a key role in scaling operations and delivering commercial performance.

  • Hire an Operations Manager when your business needs more structure, you’re scaling up, opening new locations, or senior leadership needs to step back from day-to-day involvement.

  • They must be hands-on, commercially aware, process-driven, and capable of leading teams. A strong understanding of systems, KPIs, and continuous improvement is also essential.

  • Yes. We recruit Operations Managers for a wide range of SME sectors including manufacturing, logistics, B2B services, e-commerce, and more.

  • Our average retained search process delivers a shortlist in 3–4 weeks, with final placement typically completed in 6–8 weeks, depending on role complexity.

  • We operate a fixed-fee, three-stage retained model tailored to SMEs — combining headhunting, assessment, and strategic alignment to ensure the right cultural and commercial fit.