Operations Manager - Ratsey and Lapthorn (Cowes) Ltd

Job Posted: 29 September 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full or part time
• Salary: Negotiable
• Industries: Manufacturing Marine Sales & Marketing

Ratsey and Lapthorn is a world-renowned, historic sailmakers, the oldest in the world. Trading from Cowes since 1790, we have been making sails for 237 years. We are a global business, catering to yachts of all sizes, many of which are local to the Solent, but also UK wide, USA and the famous Classic Yachts of the mediterranean.

Whilst sailmaking will remain our principal activity, we have also recently launched a limited collection of handmade canvas and leather bags, these are unashamedly aimed at the luxury accessories sector and we hope to steadily grow this side of the business in the coming years.

We’re a small team, working Monday to Friday from our loft in Cowes. We have two positions to fill and we’d really like to hear from you if you really care about doing things properly, not afraid to get stuck in are keen to make changes for the better and are excited by the prospects that both sides of the business have to offer.

Role 2 – Operations Manager

This is a varied management role aiming primarily to maintain and build a thriving sail loft and working closely alongside the CEO to help execute all other areas across both the sailmaking business and the bag brand. Hours and renumeration negotiable.

What you will be doing:

• Ensure operations meet ISO 9000 requirements
• Co-ordinate with Sailmaking team to meet deadlines in areas pertaining to both the sailmaking and bag making
• Liaising with customers
• Key relationship building
• Sales
• Business development
• Key project implementation – e.g new apprenticeship program
• Support to CEO
• Organising various activations, pop-up’s, regattas primarily in the UK, Med and USA
• Working across the sailmaking business and the bag business including supporting the Social media team to co ordinate content where required to maintain a strong connection

Again, we’re not expecting one person to walk through the door that can tick all of these boxes but the organisational skills required to execute these responsibilities are imperative.

Some knowledge or background in sailing would be highly prized. 

This is a customer facing role, you will be representing Ratsey and Lapthorn, so strong communication and customer service skills are important.

This role would suit a practical person who has had a fulfilling early life in and around sailing, potentially as a profession and who is now looking to take their skills and knowledge to a shore based career.