Operations & Commercial Manager in Leicester

Location: Hybrid - Leicestershire (Head Office LE1)

Salary: Circa £35,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)

Are you an experienced operations leader with strong commercial acumen, logistics expertise and a background in the charity or not-for-profit sector? Our client is looking for a dynamic, hands-on Operations & Commercial Manager to lead its trading operation, ensuring the successful sale and distribution of essential household items while delivering sustainable income and meaningful social impact. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a well-established trading function, driving operational excellence, business growth and customer service while supporting the organisation's charitable mission.

About the Role

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, you'll lead the organisation's commercial trading activities, ensuring operations are strategically aligned, financially sustainable and operationally efficient. A key part of the role is overseeing the sale and distribution of white goods and beds, ensuring stock is effectively managed, deliveries run smoothly and customers receive an excellent service. You'll be responsible for identifying new commercial opportunities, developing partnerships, managing operational performance and leading a dedicated team to maximise both commercial success and social value.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day management of the organisation's commercial trading operation.
• Developing and implementing business development strategies to increase income and grow trading activity.
• Driving sales performance and enhancing customer engagement.
• Managing budgets, financial reporting and commercial performance.
• Leading and developing a high-performing operational team.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety, quality standards and relevant legislation.

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Oversee stock management, ensuring accurate inventory levels, stock rotation, replenishment and reconciliation.
• Source, negotiate and manage supplier relationships to achieve quality, value for money and ethical procurement standards.
• Ensure the timely procurement and availability of stock to meet operational demand.

Logistics & Distribution

• Oversee delivery operations, including route planning, vehicle utilisation, driver coordination and fleet maintenance.
• Ensure goods are delivered safely, efficiently, on time and within budget.
• Maintain accurate operational records, including deliveries, returns and warranty issues, using operational databases to support continuous service improvement.

About You

We're looking for an experienced operational leader who combines commercial thinking with a passion for delivering positive social outcomes.

Essential

• Proven experience working within the charity, not-for-profit or social enterprise sector.
• Significant experience managing operations, retail, logistics or trading within a commercial or social enterprise environment.
• Experience overseeing the distribution and sale of white goods, beds, furniture or similar products.
• Strong experience of logistics, supply chain management and stock control.
• A proven track record of identifying new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships and driving commercial growth.
• Excellent leadership, communication and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into operational delivery.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, financial reporting and performance targets.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise, delegate and make effective decisions.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams and operational systems such as Sage, stock management or route planning software.
• Experience building productive relationships with stakeholders across the private, public and voluntary sectors.
• Self-motivated, proactive and solutions-focused.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Able to work flexibly, meet deadlines and deliver against targets.
• Full UK driving licence, access to your own vehicle and willingness to travel across the region (expenses paid).

Desirable

• Knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector landscape relating to social welfare.
• Experience managing social enterprise or charitable trading operations.

Benefits

In return, you'll receive:

• Competitive salary of £35,000 per annum
• 32 days annual leave, including Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme
• Hybrid working
• The opportunity to lead a successful social enterprise that makes a tangible difference to people's lives every day
• A supportive and values-driven working environment where your commercial expertise directly contributes to positive social impact

If you're a commercially minded operational leader looking to combine business success with meaningful social purpose, we'd love to hear from you.