Andrew Butcher
An experienced Operations Leader
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About
I am a results-driven professional with over 25 years of experience, excelling in leadership roles within production, operations, and continuous improvement. A highly achieving operations leader, I bring a proven track record in both corporate environments and scaling start-ups into sustainable, high-performing businesses.
I have delivered strategic growth plans from designing and relocating production facilities to implementing lean principles, ERP systems, and targeted CAPEX investments driving exponential output increases, significant cost reductions, and robust quality improvements. I have successfully led multi-site operations, aligning cultures and processes across diverse teams while maintaining compliance within highly regulated environments (ISO9001, ISO13485, aerospace).
I am passionate about people and values, not just performance: mentoring and developing cross-functional leaders, embedding succession planning, and implementing structured training programs that raised engagement and reduced turnover. I have partnered closely with CEOs to deliver scale-up strategies, and championed ESG and safety initiatives including waste reduction, efficiency-driven environmental benefits, and +750 days LTA-free demonstrating a commitment to both sustainable practices and safe workplaces.
Experience
Key Achievements
Vital Signs Solutions Ltd (PocDoc)
- Operations Manager (January 2024 – current)
- Led the strategic scale-up of operations, aligning with growth projections and investor expectations, including the design, investment, and relocation to a new £300k production facility.
- Increased production output 22×, while achieving >98% quality and >95% on-time delivery, by eliminating bottlenecks and introducing targeted process improvements.
- Delivered 133× faster processes through strategic CAPEX investment of >£150k, driving sustainable efficiency gains.
- Expanded production capacity 8× to 380k tests/month, building scalable systems and teams to support long-term growth.
- Reduced the cost of goods sold by 71%, adding >£250k in revenue through supply chain optimisation and cross-functional collaboration.
- Developed team and personal motivation through fostering a culture of ownership and accountability, motivating teams at all levels to deliver sustainable performance improvements.
- Responsible for people development through coaching cross-functional teams, supporting career growth and strengthening “sustainable” operational capability.
- Championed ESG initiatives, embedding sustainability and efficiency principles into day-to-day operations.
- Maintained a strong safety culture, achieving no lost-time incident while improving engagement in HSE practices in warehouse, fire and production activities.
- Production Control Manager (Mar 2023 – Jan 2024)
- Led the creation of a centralised Group Distribution Hub, streamlining logistics and reducing inventory by £1m, while improving accuracy from 70% to 99%.
- Enhanced forecasting and resource allocation by developing a Production Planning Tool, improving On-Time Delivery by 20% across 5 sites producing >30,000 components/month.
- Site (Operations) Manager (Jan 2022 – Mar 2023)
- Improved On-Time Delivery by 15% for customer-critical orders through process optimisation.
- Reduced backorders by £200k, ensuring stronger cash flow and customer satisfaction.
- Led 100+ employees across 3 sites, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
- Continuous Improvement Manager (Sept 2018 – Jan 2022)
- Delivered multiple initiatives, improving efficiency and quality, and sustaining 750+ days without a Lost Time Accident.
- Directed world-class manufacturing projects, improving engineering estimates, KPI adherence, and schedule performance.
- Optimised business management systems, strengthening processes and stakeholder engagement.
- Production Engineer (Sept 2015 – Sept 2018)
- Recognised for outstanding contributions to safety, setting new standards in workplace practice.
- Business Manager (Jan 2013 – May 2015)
- Increased turnover by 25% and profit by 34% in FY 2013/14.
- Implemented ERP system, improving transparency and building customer confidence.
- Manufacturing Engineer (Sept 2004 – Dec 2012)
- Manufacturing Apprentice (Sept 2000 – Sept 2004)
Education
Qualifications
- MBA (Distinction), Senior Leadership & Management – Anglia Ruskin University, 2022
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, 2019
- BEng (Hons) Integrated Engineering, 1st Class – Anglia Ruskin University, 2010
- Chartered Manager (CMgr), CMI Diploma Level 5 in Management & Leadership, 2019
