Head of Operations
Permanent
Location: Alsager, Cheshire (5 days a week onsite)
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 (+ benefits)

Skills: Operations Management, Warehouse Management, Budget Management, P&L, KPIs, Continuous Improvement, People Management

We’re working with an established technology services business that is looking for an experienced Head of Operations to take ownership of its day-to-day operational performance and help drive the next stage of improvement and growth.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with responsibility for operational delivery, people leadership, budgets, KPIs, process improvement and commercial performance.

The successful candidate will act as the de facto deputy to the Managing Director and will play a central role in leading the senior leadership team. The role reports directly to the MD and carries responsibility for overall warehouse and onsite operational performance.

The role

You’ll join a relatively small, operationally focused business where there is genuine scope to make an impact.

A key priority will be to review how the operation currently works, identify where processes can be improved and put more structure around performance, productivity and accountability.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading day-to-day operational performance across the business
• Leading and coordinating the senior leadership team against agreed objectives
• Reviewing and improving warehouse workflows, stock movement and space utilisation
• Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and profitability
• Developing and documenting operational processes
• Defining, implementing and managing operational KPIs
• Preparing and managing operational budgets
• Taking ownership of operational costs and resource planning
• Leading continuous improvement and operational change projects
• Managing, developing and motivating operational teams
• Addressing performance issues and building a culture of accountability
• Working closely with the Managing Director on operational strategy and investment decisions
• Ensuring appropriate standards across quality, security, health & safety and compliance

The formal brief includes ownership of budgets and KPIs, managing operating costs, delivering efficiency improvements and implementing stronger operational processes.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for an experienced operational leader who is comfortable working in a hands-on SME environment.

You’re likely to have:

• Strong Operations Manager, Head of Operations or General Management experience
• Experience leading warehouse, logistics, distribution, manufacturing or service-led operational teams
• Experience managing teams of up to approximately 50 people
• Strong budget and P&L management experience
• A track record of improving operational performance and productivity
• Experience developing and managing KPIs
• Strong process improvement and continuous improvement experience
• Good commercial judgement and confidence making decisions based on cost, service and profitability
• Strong people-management and performance-management skills
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and influencing at leadership level
• The ability to challenge existing ways of working constructively
• A practical, analytical and structured approach to problem solving

The specification particularly emphasises leadership, P&L management, KPI ownership, operational improvement, commercial awareness and stakeholder management.

This role would suit someone who enjoys joining a business where there is plenty to improve rather than simply maintaining an established operation.

You’ll have the autonomy to streamline processes, improve commercial performance and help shape how the business operates going forward.

There is also genuine scope for the role to grow in seniority as the business develops.