At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategy and enablement in operations without managing a team.
- Company: Join a high-growth marketplace business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health support, gym membership, and unique leave options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Own analytics and process improvements while making a real impact on operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy or operations, strong data skills, and commercial fluency.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As our next Operations Manager (Trade), you'll be the engine behind how this function performs - without managing a team of your own. This is a pure strategy and enablement role: you'll sit alongside the Head of Operations, working across all three teams as an internal operator and problem-solver.
You'll own the analytical framework, design and improve the processes the teams run on, and make sure the right insight reaches the right people at the right time. This isn't a support role. It's a builder role. You'll have genuine ownership across analytics, operational excellence, and cross-functional delivery - with a direct line of sight to MRR, bad debt, cash collection, and trade satisfaction outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Analytics and insight: you will build and own the performance reporting framework across Retention, Credit Control, and Trade Support. Surface the right metrics – churn signals, collection rates, bad debt exposure, resolution times, satisfaction scores – and translate them into decisions that actually land with the teams and with Finance.
- Process design and improvement: you will map end-to-end workflows across in-house and BPO teams, identify friction and failure points, and design scalable improvements – working within legacy system constraints while pushing for meaningful change.
- Operational enablement: you will act as the connective tissue between the Head of Operations and the teams on the ground. You'll develop the frameworks, playbooks, and tools that help Retention, Credit Control, and Trade Support perform consistently – without being their line manager.
- Cross-functional coordination: you will act as the connective layer between Trade Lifecycle, Finance, Product, CRM, and Engineering – making sure operational priorities are grounded in commercial outcomes and aligned to what those teams are building.
- Execution and accountability: you will own the cadence of reviews, check-ins, and reporting cycles that keep the function honest and on track. Build the rhythms of execution – not just the strategy – so momentum is maintained week on week across all three teams.
- Data infrastructure and tooling: you will identify gaps in reporting tooling, work with Engineering and CRM to close them, and build self-serve analytics capability so teams aren't dependent on ad-hoc data pulls to make decisions.
Qualifications
- A breadth of experience in a strategy, operations, or analytical role – ideally within a high-growth or marketplace business. Consulting backgrounds are equally welcome.
- Strong SQL or equivalent data skills – you can get to the data yourself, not just interpret what others give you.
- Commercial fluency – you understand what MRR, churn, bad debt, and cash collection mean in practice, not just in theory.
- Experience working across operational teams – you know how retention, collections, or customer support functions work on the ground, and you can design for that reality.
- Experience with BPO or vendor management – you've worked alongside external partners before and know how to drive improvement without managing them directly.
- Proficiency with BI tooling (e.g. Tableau) – able to build self-serve reporting and define metrics frameworks (ideally), not just consume them.
- Confidence with use of AI tools – specifically Claude.
Benefits
- Competitive salary + commission.
- Health, well-being and learning support.
- Gym membership, Smart Tech Scheme and Cycle Scheme.
- Birthday/Special day leave.
- Buy & sell holiday scheme.
- 1 week's paid charity leave and much more!
Operations Manager (Trade) in London employer: Checkatrade
As an Operations Manager (Trade) at our company, you'll thrive in a dynamic environment that champions innovation and strategic thinking. We offer a competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including health and well-being support, gym memberships, and a unique buy & sell holiday scheme, all designed to foster a healthy work-life balance. Our collaborative culture encourages personal growth and development, ensuring you have the tools and opportunities to excel in your role while making a meaningful impact on our operational success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (Trade) in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Manager (Trade) at Checkatrade!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Checkatrade or be willing to refer you for that Operations Manager (Trade) position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Checkatrade who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Manager (Trade) star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Manager (Trade) role at Checkatrade!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (Trade) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Checkatrade. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Checkatrade
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Checkatrade. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!