Director, eCommerce Operations in Leeds
Avnet Leeds About the role
Farnell
Farnell, an Avnet company, is a global high-service distributor of technology products, services and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair.
- Director of Global Ecommerce Operations- Leeds, England
- At Farnell, ecommerce is at the heart of how we serve customers across the globe. As our
Director of Global Ecommerce Operations , you will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring the performance, stability, and continuous evolution of our global digital commerce ecosystem.
Responsible for overseeing 48 localized ecommerce websites, multiple e-procurement platforms, and a globally distributed operations team, you will lead the operational strategy that underpins customer experience, revenue continuity, and digital transformation.
Working at the intersection of technology, operations, program governance, vendor management, and customer experience, you will drive operational excellence while championing innovation, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities.
This is a highly visible leadership position with significant influence across Ecommerce, Technology, Marketing, Customer Service Operations, and senior business stakeholders.
What's in it for you?
- Lead the operations of a truly global ecommerce platform serving customers across multiple regions, languages, and currencies.
- Shape the future of digital commerce at a leading electronics distributor.
- Drive strategic transformation initiatives, including AI and automation opportunities.
- Influence executive decision-making through data-driven insights and business advocacy.
- Collaborate with senior leaders across Technology, Marketing, Customer Service Operations, and Commercial functions.
- Build and develop high-performing global teams while creating a scalable operating model for future growth.
- Enjoy a role that combines strategic leadership with meaningful operational impact on customer experience and business performance.
Further to this you will also receive a competitive salary plus bonus, private medical, pension employer contribution of 10% plus various other benefits and company perks.
What will you be doing?
- Driving Global Ecommerce Operations
- Own the end-to-end operational health, performance, and availability of Farnell's global ecommerce platforms.
- Monitor site performance, uptime, service levels, and operational metrics across all regions.
- Define and maintain operational standards, governance processes, escalation procedures, and service level expectations.
- Quantify and communicate the business impact of platform incidents and downtime to support prioritisation and investment decisions.
- Leading Incident Management and Platform Stability
- Act as the senior point of accountability for major ecommerce incidents.
- Lead root cause analysis activities and drive corrective and preventative actions.
- Foster a culture of proactive monitoring, continuous improvement, and operational resilience.
- Ensure rapid issue resolution through effective collaboration with engineering, infrastructure, and third-party partners.
- Managing Release Readiness and Quality Assurance
- Lead the global User Acceptance Testing (UAT) function across both Waterfall and Agile delivery models.
- Ensure releases are thoroughly tested and production-ready before deployment.
- Oversee deployment readiness activities, rollback planning, communication protocols, and post-release validation.
- Champion improvements in testing frameworks, automation, and release quality.
- Leading Cross-Functional Program Delivery
- Coordinate complex initiatives across Ecommerce, Marketing, Customer Service Operations, and Technology teams.
- Establish clear programme governance, priorities, timelines, and success measures.
- Develop compelling business cases to secure organisational alignment and investment.
- Ensure programmes deliver measurable business outcomes without compromising platform stability.
- Vendor and Stakeholder Management
- Manage strategic vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements.
- Partner with Procurement, Legal, Finance, and Technology teams to optimise performance and costs.
- Hold suppliers accountable against agreed service levels and business expectations.
- Serve as the central communication point for ecommerce performance, incidents, releases, and roadmap updates.
- Building Future Capability
- Support the adoption of AI and automation solutions within ecommerce operations.
- Lead, coach, and develop a global team of operations managers and UAT specialists.
- Create a scalable operating model that supports business growth and evolving customer expectations.
- Champion ecommerce as a strategic business capability across the organisation.
What about you?
You are an experienced digital commerce leader with a proven track record of managing complex ecommerce environments, leading global teams, and influencing senior stakeholders.
You combine strong operational discipline with strategic thinking and know how to balance platform reliability with business innovation.
You'll bring
- Significant leadership experience within ecommerce operations, digital platforms, or online customer experiences.
- Experience managing large-scale, multi-region ecommerce environments and distributed teams.
- Strong knowledge of ecommerce operations, incident management, service delivery, release management, and platform governance.
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional programmes within complex global organisations.
- Experience managing third-party vendors, contracts, and service-level agreements.
- Strong understanding of both Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at executive level.
- A highly analytical and data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Experience driving operational improvements, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement programmes.
- Awareness of emerging technologies, including AI and automation, and their application within ecommerce environments.
- A passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and building high-performing teams.
You'll stand out if you have
- Experience operating within a global B2B ecommerce environment.
- Knowledge of e-procurement platforms and digital procurement solutions.
- Experience leading transformation programmes involving AI-enabled technologies and automation.
- A strong track record of balancing operational excellence with strategic business growth.
Join us and play a critical role in shaping the future of global ecommerce operations while ensuring our digital platforms continue to deliver exceptional experiences for customers around the world.
If this role is of interest then please apply now, our talent team will review your application and if shortlisted you will be contacted to arrange an initial screening call.
- #LI-FARNELL
- #LI-EMEA
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.
They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.
Avnet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
If you are interested in applying for employment with Avnet and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position contact our Human Resources Service Center in your region: Americas applicants – hrnow@avnet. com
- , Asia applicants - hrnow. asia@avnet. com
- , EMEA applicants - hrnow. EMEA@avnet. eu
- Job Applicant EMEA Imprints
Your tasks
Lead global ecommerce operations and drive strategic transformation initiatives.
Your profile
Proven leadership in ecommerce operations and strong stakeholder management skills.
What's also included
Competitive salary, bonus, private medical, and 10% pension contribution.
Tech stack & ways of working
Director, eCommerce Operations in Leeds employer: Avnet
Farnell, an Avnet company, is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering a supportive work culture and opportunities for professional growth within the technology distribution sector. Located in a dynamic environment, our Fulfillment Operators benefit from competitive pay, comprehensive training, and a commitment to quality and accuracy in their roles, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
Your perspectives
Shape the future of digital commerce and influence executive decision-making.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Avnet are looking for when hiring for a Director, eCommerce Operations.
Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Avnet for the Director, eCommerce Operations, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Avnet as a Director, eCommerce Operations, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out Avnet’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Director, eCommerce Operations.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness
When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Avnet, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter
Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Avnet's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter
In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application
Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Avnet. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avnet
Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Avnet uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Avnet. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
Locations
- Leeds
