Operations Manager

About this role

Job Description

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of the warehouse and technical operations functions. The role provides strategic and operational direction, ensuring operational excellence, service delivery, compliance, quality standards and employee performance are achieved across all operational areas. The Operations Manager manages all Warehouse based staff, aligning departmental activity with business objectives and future growth requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all warehouse and technical operational activities
• Maintain accountability for Goods In, Testing, Booking In, Storage, Picking, Building, Packing and Dispatch operations
• Ensure operational processes are documented, maintained and consistently applied
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, quality and customer experience
• Implements business change initiatives and leads teams through change
• Responsible for defining KPIs and targets for Warehouse based teams
• Monitor and report departmental KPIs and performance metrics and act on deviations
• Lead operational planning and resource allocation activities

People Management

• Directly manage Team Lead and all Technical and Warehouse staff, overseeing departmental performance
• Conduct performance reviews, probation reviews and annual appraisals for all Warehouse based staff
• Identify capability gaps and support employee development
• Prepare training plans for all Warehouse based staff
• Manage employee relations issues in conjunction with HR
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and succession planning activities
• Promote a positive, accountable and high-performing culture

Quality, Compliance & Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with company policies, ISO requirements and regulatory obligations
• Accountable for ensuring SOPs are up to date
• Approve new or changed processes
• Own product quality, inspection and grading standards
• Oversee stock accuracy, inventory controls and audit activities
• Lead health and safety compliance, investigations and corrective actions
• Ensure export control, data security and product compliance requirements are met

Financial & Commercial Management

• Contribute to departmental budget planning and cost management and reports these to the UK Financial Director and Group Operations Director accordingly
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor supplier performance
• Understands operational cost drivers and identifies opportunities for cost efficiency
• Review departmental expenditure and ensures spend remains within agreed budgets
• Provide input into forecasting, resource planning and investment decisions

Stakeholder Management

• Work collaboratively with other departments and senior management
• Is part of group wide Leadership team, representing UK Operations from a strategic perspective
• Communicate operational performance, risks and improvement opportunities to leadership
• Supports supplier selection and commercial decision-making
• Balances operational performance with commercial objectives and customer expectations

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years' leadership or management experience within warehouse, logistics or operational environments
• Experience managing multiple teams and operational functions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience implementing operational improvement initiatives
• Good understanding of inventory control, quality management and health and safety requirements
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills, in particular advanced Excel

Desirable

• Experience within refurbishment, technology, logistics or manufacturing operations
• Management qualification or equivalent leadership training
• Knowledge of ISO standards and audit processes
• Experience working with Microsoft Business Central
• Certified in IOSH Managing Safety Training