At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational functions and drive growth in a dynamic equipment hire business.
- Company: A successful, privately owned company with a stellar reputation for customer service.
- Benefits: Join a senior leadership team with competitive compensation and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to mentor teams and drive continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing business and make a real impact on operations.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operational leadership within asset-intensive environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
South-East UK | Executive Leadership Opportunity | Permanent
Our client is a highly successful, privately owned business operating within the specialist equipment hire sector. Having established an outstanding reputation for customer service and operational excellence, the business is now entering an exciting phase of growth.
With ambitious plans to significantly increase turnover over the next three years, they are seeking an experienced Operations Director to join the Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in delivering the next stage of their strategic journey.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a board-level appointment with responsibility for leading all operational functions, including warehouse, workshop, transport, fleet and health safety.
This is far more than an operational leadership role. You will be responsible for building a scalable operating platform capable of supporting substantial business growth while driving improvements in productivity, profitability, customer experience and operational performance. Working alongside the wider leadership team, you will help shape the long-term strategy of the business, ensuring operational excellence underpins continued commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the operational strategy to support ambitious growth plans.
- Lead warehouse, workshop, transport, fleet and health safety functions across multiple sites.
- Improve operational efficiency, productivity and asset utilisation.
- Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and performance.
- Develop and mentor a high-performing operational leadership team.
- Deliver measurable improvements in operational KPIs, customer service and commercial performance.
- Ensure robust governance, compliance and health safety standards.
- Collaborate closely with Commercial, Finance and Digital teams to deliver business-wide improvements.
The Person
We are looking for an experienced operational leader with a proven ability to scale businesses within asset-intensive, multi-site environments.
You will bring:
- Experience as an Operations Director, Head of Operations or equivalent senior leadership position.
- A background within tool hire, plant hire, equipment rental, specialist distribution or a comparable operational environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing operational budgets and improving profitability.
- A proven track record of operational transformation, continuous improvement and organisational growth.
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build engaged, high-performing teams.
- A visible, hands-on leadership style combined with strategic thinking and Board-level credibility.
Experience within a founder-led, private equity-backed or investment-ready business would be advantageous.
