United Kingdom · Operations · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

See how AI is changing this job, and get the full read by email.

As a Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence, a good place to start on AI Ethics & Governance for Industrial Applications is Planning Automation Across a Department, a free Future Fluency module at Level 5. You'd practise working out what in your department's work could be automated, what should not be, and what to recommend.

Free to start, no card.

Keep this job description

Where should we send it?

One email: what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for, where it leads, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

Your employer, or 'self-employed'

Leading a team? Try this with up to five of them for 14 days, free.

  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Direct reports25-100+ reports
  • Reports toVP, Global Operations Strategy & Analytics
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as VP of Operations Analytics · Head of Manufacturing Data Strategy · Global Director of Operations Excellence

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Data Science OTHM Qualifications · Level 7 · covers 5 of 10 standards
NCC Education Level 5 Extended Diploma in Computing with Data Science NCC Education Limited · Level 5 · covers 4 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England Pearson Education Ltd · Level 5 · covers 4 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies Pearson Education Ltd · Level 5 · covers 2 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business Pearson Education Ltd · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Data Analysis and Visualisation OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Data Science
Data Management Software Skills AIM Qualifications Entry 3 Diploma in Skills for Working in Business, Administration and Customer Service Industries
Introduction to Data Science and Big Data NCC Education Level 5 Extended Diploma in Computing with Data Science
Data Analytics Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England
Business Data Analytics and Insights Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Frontier Fluency the next wave, beyond mainstream AI
Foresight Fluency seeing round the corner
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence

5 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Data Analysis and Visualisation OTHM Qualifications · covers 5 of 10 standards Level 7
  2. Data Management Software Skills AIM Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Entry Level
  3. Introduction to Data Science and Big Data NCC Education Limited · covers 4 of 10 standards Level 5
  4. Data Analytics Pearson Education Ltd · covers 4 of 10 standards Level 5
  5. Business Data Analytics and Insights Pearson Education Ltd · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI Ethics & Governance for Industrial Applications
  • Digital Twin Architecture & Simulation
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

This role turns manufacturing data into strategies that guide decisions across global operations, leading transformation programmes that affect P&L and market position.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

SAP S/4HANA (PP/MM modules) Strategic Architect

Leading data governance within the ERP, advising on module configuration for better data capture, and influencing future system enhancements to support global analytics needs. You'll understand the data model deeply.

Power BI / Tableau (Enterprise Manager) Enterprise Manager

Managing the enterprise-wide visualisation environment (e.g., Power BI Premium, Tableau Server), setting global visualisation standards, ensuring data security, and building executive-level portfolio dashboards for the Board.

SQL (PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server) Data Strategist

Designing database schemas for analytics, partnering with DBAs on data warehousing strategy, ensuring robust data lineage, and making high-level architectural decisions for our data infrastructure.

Azure Data Factory / Databricks Systems Thinker

Architecting automated, scalable data pipelines for global data ingestion and transformation. You'll be making strategic choices about cloud data platforms and ensuring our ETL processes are robust and efficient.

Anaplan / Oracle EPM Strategic Collaborator

Collaborating with Finance and Supply Chain leadership to model the operational impact of demand forecasts and production scenarios on the global P&L, influencing strategic financial planning.

ServiceNow GRC / Collibra Compliance Lead

Ensuring all data analytics practices comply with international regulations (e.g., GDPR, SOX) and managing the enterprise data catalogue for the Operations division, ensuring clear data ownership and definitions.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Global Data Strategy & Roadmap N/A (Learns existing processes) N/A (Contributes to project segments) N/A (Leads workstreams within defined strategy)
Budget Allocation (Function) N/A (No budget authority) N/A (No budget authority) N/A (Recommends spend within project budget up to £5K)
Global Platform Selection (e.g., new MES, AI platform) N/A (Uses existing tools) N/A (Evaluates specific features) N/A (Recommends technical solutions)
Organisational Design & Hiring (within function) N/A (No hiring authority) N/A (No hiring authority) N/A (Interviews candidates, provides feedback)

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Global OEE Improvement
Overall Equipment Effectiveness across all manufacturing sites.
Target · Achieve a sustained 5-10% year-on-year improvement in global OEE within 3 years.

By Q4, our global OEE increased from 78% to 83%, directly attributable to insights and initiatives driven by your team, resulting in £5M additional production capacity.

Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) Reduction
The financial cost associated with defects, rework, and scrap across all plants.
Target · Reduce CoPQ by 15-20% across the global manufacturing network.

Through predictive quality analytics and process optimisation, CoPQ was reduced by £3.5M last year, improving gross margins by 0.5%.

Supply Chain Resilience Index
A composite score reflecting our ability to withstand and recover from supply chain disruptions.
Target · Increase the Supply Chain Resilience Index by 20% within 2 years.

After implementing advanced risk models and scenario planning, our resilience index improved from 65 to 78, allowing us to proactively mitigate a major raw material shortage.

ROI of Data & Analytics Initiatives
Return on Investment for major data platform upgrades, AI/ML deployments, and strategic analytics projects.
Target · Achieve a minimum 3:1 ROI on all significant data initiatives (over £100K spend).

The predictive maintenance platform, a £750K investment, delivered £2.5M in avoided downtime and maintenance costs in its first 18 months, an ROI of 3.3:1.

Strategic Influence & Board Confidence
Your ability to effectively communicate complex data insights to the C-suite and Board, shaping strategic decisions.
  • You'll be regularly invited to present at Board meetings and executive strategy sessions. Your recommendations will directly inform major capital expenditure decisions, M&A due diligence, and long-term operational planning. The CEO and COO will proactively seek your input on critical challenges.
Global Data Literacy & Adoption
The extent to which data-driven decision-making is embedded across all levels of global operations.
  • We'll see a measurable increase in the adoption of self-service analytics tools by regional operations teams. Your data governance frameworks will be consistently applied across all sites. You'll be recognised as the go-to expert for data best practices, with your team's training programmes widely sought after.
Team Leadership & Development
Your effectiveness in building, mentoring, and retaining a high-performing global team of data professionals.
  • Your direct reports will consistently meet or exceed their performance goals. We'll see strong internal promotion rates within your team, and a high engagement score in employee surveys. You'll be known for fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning, attracting top talent to your organisation.
Cross-Functional Partnership
Your ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with other departments (e.g., IT, Finance, Supply Chain, Product) to drive integrated solutions.
  • You'll co-lead major initiatives with IT and Supply Chain, with shared KPIs and budgets. Other department heads will actively seek your team's involvement in their strategic planning. You'll successfully break down data silos, creating a more unified view of the business.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Shaping Enterprise Strategy

You'll spend a good chunk of your week in strategic planning meetings, debating future investments, and presenting long-term roadmaps to the C-suite. You'll be directly involved in defining how data and AI will transform our global manufacturing operations over the next 3-5 years.

Leading the initiative to integrate predictive analytics into our new smart factory blueprint, influencing £50M+ in capital expenditure decisions.

Driving Large-Scale Transformation

You'll be accountable for multi-year programmes that fundamentally change how we operate, from global OEE optimisation projects to the rollout of new data platforms across dozens of international sites. You'll see your vision come to life at a truly global scale.

Successfully delivering a global data harmonisation programme that enables apples-to-apples performance comparisons across all 20 manufacturing plants.

Building High-Performing Teams

A significant part of your role is about leadership – mentoring managers, setting clear expectations for your entire organisation, and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. You'll get to recruit top talent and see your team members grow into future leaders.

Developing a leadership programme for your managers that results in two of them being promoted to regional Head of Analytics roles within 18 months.

What frustrates people
  • Getting buy-in from regional leaders who 'always done it this way' for a new global standard.
  • Navigating complex IT landscapes and legacy systems that resist modernisation efforts.
  • The sheer scale of data governance challenges across multiple countries and regulatory environments.
  • Balancing strategic, long-term initiatives with urgent, short-term operational demands from the C-suite.
  • Dealing with budget constraints and having to make tough prioritisation calls on high-impact projects.
What this role does not give you
  • A purely technical individual contributor path – this is a leadership role.
  • A quiet, predictable work environment with minimal external pressure.
  • The luxury of always having perfect data or unlimited resources for every project.
  • A role where you can avoid difficult conversations or political negotiations.

8Who you work with

You'll be directly accountable for driving operational excellence and strategic decision-making across our entire global manufacturing footprint. Your initiatives will shape our investment in smart factory technologies, influence product lifecycles, and significantly impact our P&L (typically £2M-£10M+ in direct influence). This role is about transforming how we operate, making us a truly data-driven manufacturing powerhouse.

Inside the business
  • Chief Operations Officer (COO)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Regional VPs of Operations (EMEA, APAC, Americas)
  • Head of Supply Chain
  • Head of IT & Digital Transformation
  • Product Development Leadership
  • Board of Directors
Outside the business
  • Strategic Technology Vendors (e.g., SAP, Microsoft, Siemens)
  • Industry Consortia & Standards Bodies
  • Key Manufacturing Partners
  • External Regulators (for data compliance)
  • Investors (indirectly, through performance reporting)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Proven track record of leading and scaling a data and analytics function within a large, complex manufacturing or operations environment for at least 5-8 years.
  • Demonstrable experience in driving multi-million-pound business impact through data-driven strategies and initiatives.
  • Extensive experience presenting to and influencing C-suite executives and Board members on strategic data topics.
  • Deep understanding of global manufacturing operations, supply chain dynamics, and associated data challenges.
  • Experience managing significant functional budgets (typically £2M+ annually) and demonstrating clear ROI for investments.
  • A strong history of building, mentoring, and retaining high-performing data teams, including managers of managers.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Quantum Computing (Strategic Awareness)

While still nascent, quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise optimisation problems in supply chain, logistics, and material science that are intractable for classical computers. As a Director, you need to understand its potential and limitations to guide future R&D investments.

Quantum Annealing · Quantum Machine Learning · Quantum Safe Cryptography · Hybrid Quantum-Classical Algorithms

  • This quarter: Read a foundational book or take an introductory online course on quantum computing for business leaders.
  • Next 6 months: Attend an industry webinar or conference session specifically on quantum computing's applications in manufacturing/logistics.
  • Next year: Engage with our R&D team or a university partner to explore potential pilot projects or research collaborations.
  • Ongoing: Monitor key developments in the quantum computing space, assessing when it might become commercially viable for our operations.

Quick win: Identify one of our most computationally intensive optimisation problems (e.g., global production scheduling). Research if any early quantum algorithms are showing promise in that specific area and brief your VP on the long-term potential.

Advanced Robotics & Autonomous Systems Integration

The integration of advanced robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), and fully autonomous systems into manufacturing is accelerating. Understanding how to leverage their data, integrate them into our analytics ecosystem, and optimise their performance is critical for future factory efficiency.

Robot Operating System (ROS) · Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) · Fleet Management & Optimisation · Reinforcement Learning for Robotics

  • This quarter: Visit one of our most automated manufacturing plants to understand current robotics deployments and their data outputs.
  • Next 6 months: Engage with our automation engineering teams to understand their data needs and challenges.
  • Next year: Develop a data strategy for integrating robotics data into our central manufacturing intelligence platform.
  • Ongoing: Monitor advancements in robotics and automation, identifying new opportunities for data-driven optimisation.

Quick win: Work with an engineering lead to identify a current robotics project. Challenge them on how they're collecting and using data from the robots to improve performance. Suggest one new metric or data source that could be valuable.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend executive-level industry conferences and forums on Industry 4.0, AI in Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Analytics.
  • Participate in executive leadership programmes or workshops focused on digital transformation, strategic innovation, or change management.
  • Engage with academic institutions or research consortia on emerging topics in data science and operations research.
  • Maintain an active network with peers in similar global leadership roles to share insights and best practices.
  • Mentor junior and mid-career professionals, sharing your expertise and contributing to the development of future leaders.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Ethics & Governance for Industrial Applications

As AI becomes more embedded in critical manufacturing processes (e.g., autonomous quality control, predictive maintenance), ethical considerations, bias detection, and robust governance frameworks are becoming paramount. Regulators are starting to pay attention, and public trust is at stake.

  • Explainable AI (XAI)
  • Bias Detection & Mitigation
  • AI Risk Assessment Frameworks
  • Regulatory Compliance (AI)

Digital Twin Architecture & Simulation

Digital twins are moving beyond proof-of-concept to become critical tools for optimising entire factory operations, enabling real-time simulation, predictive maintenance, and scenario planning without disrupting physical production. This will fundamentally change how we design, operate, and troubleshoot our plants.

  • Real-time Data Integration
  • Physics-Based Modelling
  • Simulation & Optimisation Algorithms
  • Interoperability Standards

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Enterprise Data Governance & Strategy
  • Advanced Supply Chain Optimisation
  • Smart Factory & Industry 4.0 Architectures
  • M&A Data Due Diligence & Integration

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    From Manager, Operations Analytics (L5)

    3-5 years as an L5 Manager

    Skills to master

    • Mastering the management of multiple teams, developing a regional or business unit analytics roadmap, proving consistent P&L impact, and demonstrating strong executive communication skills.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led a major regional analytics transformation programme with documented multi-million-pound savings.
    • Consistently exceeded team performance targets and demonstrated strong talent development within your organisation.
    • Regularly presented strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership (VP/SVP level) with demonstrable influence.
    • Managed a functional budget of over £500K with high ROI.
  2. 2

    From Head of Data for a Business Unit (External)

    Typically 10-15 years experience, with 5+ years in a Head of Data role for a significant business unit.

    Skills to master

    • Experience in a similar scale of operations, managing a large data function, and a proven track record of strategic impact and executive influence in a comparable industry.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Led a data function with a similar scope and complexity in a previous organisation.
    • Demonstrated ability to drive strategic change and achieve significant business outcomes through data.
    • Strong references from C-suite level stakeholders regarding leadership, vision, and impact.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to a Chief Digital Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, or a chief executive role at a smaller manufacturing company with a strong focus on data and technology.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Data Analysis and Visualisation, worked against Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence.

Data Analysis and Visualisation Level 7

Applied to your work in Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence

1. To enable the learner to critically analyse the theoretical underpinnings of data analytics and their impact on decision-making in business management contexts. 2. To enable the learner to assess diverse data analysis activities, techniques, and tools applicable to business management scenarios. 3. To enable the learner to compare and contrast various predictive analytic techniques, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in forecasting future business events. 4. To enable the learner to evaluate how predictive analytic techniques can be practically implemented for forecasting purposes within the business sector. 5. To enable the learner to evaluate prescriptive analytic techniques, illustrating their application with relevant examples from the business management domain. 6. To enable the learner to apply a suitable programming language or data analysis tool to conduct data analysis and visualisation tasks related to business management problems.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence
  • Enterprise Data Governance & Strategy
  • Advanced Supply Chain Optimisation
  • Smart Factory & Industry 4.0 Architectures
  • M&A Data Due Diligence & Integration
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. VP, Global Operations Strategy & Analytics (L7)

    3-5 years in the Director role

    This is the next logical step, moving from driving the strategy to defining the enterprise-wide vision and integrating it into overall corporate strategy. You'll be reporting directly to the COO.

    • Multi-functional data architecture and integration across the entire enterprise.
    • Advanced geopolitical and market analysis for global operational risk.
    • Strategic partnerships and ecosystem development for new technologies.
    • Deep understanding of corporate finance and capital markets.
  2. Chief Operations Officer (COO) (L7)

    5-8+ years in the Director role, potentially with a stint as VP.

    This is the ultimate operational leadership role, owning the entire global operations function, not just the data aspect. It requires a broader operational and business acumen.

    • Global supply chain network design and optimisation.
    • Enterprise risk management across all operational domains.
    • Strategic procurement and vendor management at a global scale.
    • Advanced labour relations and human capital management for large workforces.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Director, your time is precious. You shouldn't be bogged down in operational minutiae. Imagine if you could offload significant portions of reporting, forecasting, and even strategic documentation to intelligent AI tools. That's exactly what we're doing here at Zavmo.

We're not just talking about minor tweaks; we're talking about a fundamental shift in how you lead and strategise. AI isn't here to replace your strategic thinking, but to amplify it, freeing you up to focus on the truly high-impact, enterprise-level challenges that only you can solve. Our AI Productivity Hub is designed to put these capabilities directly into your hands, and those of your team.

Global Process Automation Architect

Use AI to design and oversee the automation of complex, cross-plant operational workflows. From automated quality control loops to self-optimising production schedules, AI helps you architect efficiency at scale. You'll define the parameters, and the AI will handle the intricate execution and monitoring, flagging only true exceptions.

Advanced Scenario Forecasting & Planning

Leverage AI to run hundreds of 'what-if' scenarios for demand, supply chain disruptions, and production capacity. Instead of manual spreadsheet models, AI can rapidly generate optimal strategic plans, identify hidden risks, and suggest mitigation strategies for your global operations, giving you a massive advantage in board-level discussions.

Strategic Documentation & Board Report Generation

Forget spending hours drafting complex board reports or executive summaries. AI can take raw data, key performance indicators, and even your meeting notes, then generate a polished first draft of your strategic documentation, highlighting critical insights and recommended actions. You'll refine, not create from scratch.

Executive Performance Dashboard Synthesis

AI can monitor dozens of underlying operational dashboards and automatically synthesise the most critical insights into a concise, executive-level summary. It'll tell you which plants are underperforming, why, and what the financial impact is, allowing you to focus immediately on the strategic response, rather than digging through charts.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence?

Common routes in include From Manager, Operations Analytics (3-5 years as an L5 Manager) and From Head of Data for a Business Unit (External) (Typically 10-15 years experience, with 5+ years in a Head of Data role for a significant business unit.). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence progress to?

This role can lead on to VP, Global Operations Strategy & Analytics (3-5 years in the Director role) and Chief Operations Officer (COO) (5-8+ years in the Director role, potentially with a stint as VP.), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director, Global Manufacturing Intelligence?

Increasingly, AI Ethics & Governance for Industrial Applications and Digital Twin Architecture & Simulation. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

More jobs in operations

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

Skills in global operations, data strategy and leadership apply across large manufacturing organisations, logistics companies, and consulting firms working on operations and digital transformation. This expertise is useful in many industries dealing with Industry 4.0.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Automation Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.