Operations Support Manager

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, security and energy transition ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

**Operations Support Manager**

To provide coordination, technical and administrative support to the Operations Department, ensuring production activities have all necessary resources and the department maintains full visibility on production status, safety, quality, schedule, and cost performance.

**Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities**

**BUDGET AND PERFORMANCE CONTROL**

• Engage with the BMO to produce the Operations component of the yearly operational plan (POA), with monthly reporting and continuous follow-up of actual performance against plan, identifying deviations and implementing corrective measures.
• Coordinate Operations budget allocation to WBS elements with PMOs and Programme CAMs, monitoring performance through schedule and cost performance indexes (SPI & CPI).

**RESOURCES PLANNING**

• Conduct comprehensive workload analysis with Planning and HR to identify capacity gaps early, and coordinate hiring and subcontracting plans to address identified needs.

**PRODUCTION CONTROL**

• Create and maintain Operations dashboards and KPIs to monitor production activities, produce weekly status reports, and support Subcontract Managers with progress certifications and contract closure.

**PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATION**

• Oversee time booking accuracy and timeliness, manage Purchase Requisitions for non-project materials, and maintain the Quality System with appropriate notifications.
• Coordinate training and continuous improvement initiatives across Operations, and support investment definition and implementation.

**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**

• Demonstrate leadership capability to guide, mentor and develop teams with strong conflict resolution and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong planning, organisational skills, and ability to work under pressure.
• Analytical mindset with capacity to adapt quickly to change and identify innovative solutions.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.

• A Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering/Manufacturing discipline, or HNC/HND in Engineering/Manufacturing and significant experience as a minimum requirement.
• Demonstrable experience in management roles in complex environments.

Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at [email protected] and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at [email protected] and one of the team will be in contact to help you.