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 in customer service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to shape company strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement in a fast-paced, ambitious setting.
- Why this job: Join a growing team and make a significant impact on operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operations leadership and a strong background in asset-intensive environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 90000 £ 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'll 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'll 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
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We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to AUSTIN MATLEY.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of AUSTIN MATLEY. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at AUSTIN MATLEY
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with AUSTIN MATLEY, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at AUSTIN MATLEY, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for AUSTIN MATLEY could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at AUSTIN MATLEY as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
