Director of Operations Strategy

Eakin Healthcare has exclusively retained MCS Group to recruit for a Director of Operations Strategy. This is a key senior leadership role focused on driving operational transformation, strategic growth, and manufacturing excellence across a complex multi-site environment.

About Eakin Healthcare:

At Eakin Healthcare, we put patients at the heart of everything we do. We are a family-owned global medical device company with a proud heritage of innovation and care. We deliver innovative solutions across Ostomy, Respiratory, and Surgical therapies, along with our Respond home delivery service. Founded over 50 years ago, we now have a team of over 700 dedicated people across three UK manufacturing sites, 12 international sales and distribution centres and export to over 60 countries. We've been recognised as a Great Place to Work®! And we're proud to be named among the Best Workplaces in Healthcare and Best Workplaces for Women.

At Eakin Healthcare, we're united by one mission: working together to improve lives - just like we've been doing for over five decades.

About this exceptional opportunity:

As the Director of Operations Strategy and reporting to the COO, you will set & lead the development and execution of the multi-year manufacturing and operations strategy across the network, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and long-term growth plans. Drive improvements in manufacturing capacity, operational efficiency, cost competitiveness, product quality, and supply chain resilience to support sustainable business performance.

Own and deliver the strategic roadmap for operational excellence, manufacturing footprint optimisation, and digital/automation transformation initiatives, including the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Provide leadership across multi-site operations to improve productivity, service performance, and margin enhancement while ensuring compliance with regulatory, quality, and safety standards. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation

Location: Multi-site, travel would be required, sites are based in Comber, Coleraine & Cardiff

The successful leader:

At minimum, hold a degree-level qualification in Engineering, Operations, or Business Management (MBA preferred), together with at least 5 years' experience in a strategy or transformation leadership role within the manufacturing sector.

Demonstrable senior leadership experience in:

• Proven multi-site operations experience, preferably within medtech, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong financial acumen, including the development of business cases, NPV/IRR analysis, and make-versus-buy evaluations
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and TPM methodologies, with exposure to automation and digital manufacturing technologies such as MES, IIoT, and analytics

This is a unique opportunity to play a defining role in shaping the future operational strategy of a highly respected and innovative manufacturing organisation. The successful candidate will have the platform to lead meaningful transformation initiatives, influence decision-making, and deliver lasting impact across a complex global operations network.

Joining the business at a pivotal stage of growth and evolution, you will be empowered to drive operational excellence, digital advancement, and strategic change within a culture that values leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement.

How to Apply:

Your submission to this advert will be taken as an expression of interest. You will then receive a Candidate Briefing Pack, which will explain how to complete your full application or contact Kirsty Dillon at MCS Group on 028 9693 5510. All conversations will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

A full schedule of the Recruitment and Selection process and dates will be detailed in our Candidate Briefing Pack.

If you have a disability, which means you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Kirsty Dillon directly at MCS Group, 028 9693 5510 and we will endeavour to facilitate your request.

Eakin Healthcare is committed to equality of opportunity.