operations manager

Intellectica is recruiting an Operations Manager on behalf of a company operating in the industrial equipment and water infrastructure sector, providing pumping systems, drilling infrastructure, filtration, and water treatment solutions. Based in Kifisia, Greece and reporting directly to the CEO, the ideal candidate will be responsible for building the company's operational structure, processes, and Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring alignment and effective coordination across all departments. Acting as a key operational partner to management, the role combines hands-on process-building with active contribution to the company's organisational growth - an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to shape and own the Operations function of a growing, expanding organization. If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you.

Key activities and responsibilities of this role include:

• Operations Leadership: Lead and oversee the company's day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely execution of all operational activities across Sales, Production, Logistics, Procurement, and Product Management.

• Process Design & SOPs: Design, implement, document, and continuously improve operational processes, workflows, policies, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the organization.

• Operational Standards: Establish operational standards and ensure compliance with company policies, quality requirements, and best practices.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify process inefficiencies and implement improvement initiatives to increase productivity, optimize resources, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

• Performance Monitoring: Monitor operational performance, identify risks, and implement corrective and preventive actions when required.

• Technology & Digital Transformation: Support the implementation of new systems, technologies, and digital transformation initiatives, including the adoption of AI tools to improve operational efficiency.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Collaborate closely with department managers, Finance, and HR to improve communication, resource planning, organisational structure, and operational performance.

• Compliance: Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations, ISO standards, and all applicable company policies and procedures.

• International Involvement: Take part in operational activities and projects abroad, in line with the company's international growth.

Professional experience & qualifications of a successful candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant operational experience, including at least 2-3 years in a managerial role.

• Strong experience in manufacturing, logistics, procurement, and business process management, ideally in an industrial environment with exposure to production and large-scale warehouse operations.

• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, comfortable moving between high-level planning and day-to-day execution.

• Proven ability to build structures, processes, and SOPs from the ground up, in a fast-growth environment.

• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications (advanced Excel required).

• Familiarity with technology, and knowledge of or interest in AI tools and solutions.

• Fluent in Greek and English, written and verbal.

Core competencies of a successful candidate:

• Leadership skills, with comfort operating initially as an individual contributor and gradually building a team.

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of the organization.

• Adaptability and comfort operating within a fast-growing, evolving organization.

• Ability to combine strategic thinking with a hands-on, practical approach to execution.

• High sense of accountability - someone who turns ideas into action.