Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise final mile delivery operations across multiple sites.
- Company: Smiths News is the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler, serving over 22,400 customers daily.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, health cash plan, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement in logistics.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site operations management and strong leadership skills are essential.
- Other info: Must have the right to work in the UK; apply now to be part of our passionate team.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
£60,000 to £65,000 Per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, bonus and benefits.
Field based role – Crawley/Croydon/Hemel/Hornsey/Hammersmith/Stevenage
Our reputation as the UK\’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,400
customers from 33 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we\’re the unseen force that delivers. So when we say we\’re excited for what the future holds for our customers and colleagues, you can trust we\’re as good as our word.
As the Regional Operations Manager in Final Mile at Smiths News, you will be responsible for overseeing the efficient and compliant execution of final mile delivery operations across sites within your assigned patch. Your key responsibility will be to ensure that all operational processes meet the company\’s standards for productivity, cost control, People Management, service level agreements, and health & safety compliance. This field-based role requires hands-on leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication with Depot Managers & LSM\’s, central support teams, and senior management. You will oversee site teams, support their development, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring alignment with Smiths News\’ vision of operational excellence.
About the role
Key Focus Areas
- Operational Efficiency: Ensure all final mile delivery operations are optimised for service quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
- Compliance: Maintain full compliance with health & safety regulations and company policies across all sites.
- People Development: Lead and develop LSM\’s. Depot Managers and their teams, ensuring high standards of performance and engagement.
- Problem Solving: Address operational challenges quickly to minimise any negative impact on service delivery.
- Standardisation: Implement standardised processes to ensure consistent final mile operations across all sites. Using OE methodology.
ROM Deliverables
- Weekly Performance Reports: Providing an overview of operational KPIs (cost, delivery success, and compliance) across sites within your region.
- Operational Improvement Plans: Proposing action plans for underperforming sites, including timelines for improvement.
- Health & Safety Audits: Monthly reports detailing the compliance status across sites and identifying any safety issues that need addressing.
- Strategic Alignment Reports: Tracking and ensuring that each site is aligned with broader company goals and initiatives.
- Project Updates: Reporting progress on the implementation of major initiatives, including key milestones and obstacles encountered.
- Financial Performance Summaries: Monthly summaries of cost management and budget adherence, identifying risks and opportunities for savings.
What we can offer you
Not only do we offer free onsite parking, 4x salary life assurance and 5% match pension but you\’ll also have access to:
- £5,688 per annum car allowance
- Company bonus
- Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
- 25 days holiday plus holiday buy scheme
- 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
- Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan
- Private medical insurance
- Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme
About you
- Proven experience in multi-site operations management within logistics, delivery, or final mile sectors.
- Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Deep understanding of health & safety regulations and compliance in logistics and final mile operations.
- Financial management experience, including budget oversight, cost control, and P&L analysis.
- Proficient in logistics management software, including WMS, TMS, and real-time delivery tracking systems.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a focus on operational efficiency.
- Outstanding communication skills for managing teams and engaging with senior leadership.
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies is advantageous.
- Degree in logistics, supply chain management, business administration, or related field is advantageous.
- Professional certifications (e.g., CILT, PRINCE2, ILM, CMI, Lean Six Sigma, NEBOSH) are an advantage.
Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let\’s see if we can rely on you, too. Apply now.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Regional Operations Manager employer: Smiths News
Contact Detail:
Smiths News Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the logistics and final mile delivery sector. Understanding the specific challenges and trends in this area will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with our needs during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the logistics field, especially those who have experience in multi-site operations management. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully developed high-performing teams in the past. We value strong leadership, so having concrete examples ready will demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations relevant to logistics. Being able to articulate your understanding of compliance and how you've implemented safety measures in previous roles will show us that you're serious about operational excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in multi-site operations management, particularly in logistics and delivery. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and success in developing high-performing teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with the key focus areas of operational efficiency, compliance, and people development mentioned in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your understanding of health & safety regulations and your financial management experience. Mention any relevant software proficiency and continuous improvement methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma that you possess.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths News
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Regional Operations Manager, strong leadership is key. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing and developing high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated your team and improved performance.
✨Demonstrate Operational Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with logistics and final mile operations. Be ready to talk about your understanding of health & safety regulations and compliance. Highlight any experience you have with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to show your commitment to operational excellence.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of past challenges you've faced in operations management and how you addressed them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Know Your Numbers
Financial management is crucial for this role. Brush up on your knowledge of budget oversight, cost control, and P&L analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've managed financial performance in previous roles and any strategies you've implemented for cost savings.
