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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, optimise workflows, and enhance customer experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Chemist4U, a leading online pharmacy transforming healthcare in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days holiday, gym discounts, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care while advancing your career in a purpose-driven company.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in operations or supply chain; strong process improvement skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for growth into a COO position.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
About Chemist4U
Chemist4U is one of the UK's largest online pharmacies, making medicines, expert advice, and everyday health essentials easier to access than ever. We're redefining modern healthcare, with a fast-growing, innovative team, we deliver trusted pharmacy care straight to our customers' doors. Join us and be part of a company that's transforming healthcare and making a real difference every day.
Our purpose
Making medication and care faster, simpler and safer so people stay well for longer.
Our mission
Empower everyone to take control of their health by providing world class technology and pharmacy services.
Our values
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Positivity
- Growth
- Customer centricity
We simplify processes and medication management by leveraging cutting-edge technology and empowering our team. Whether through seamless online services or expert support, we ensure reliable and hassle-free healthcare so our customers can focus on their well-being.
About the role
Reporting to: CEO & COO
Job type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive
Working Pattern & Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: On-Site (Dispensing Hub located: Lancashire, WN8)
As Operations Director at Chemist4U, you'll take ownership of our day-to-day operations, strengthening the foundations that enable us to deliver an exceptional customer experience at scale. You'll lead operations across fulfilment, supply chain and procurement, making sure we deliver a reliable, high-quality service to our customers while continuing to improve how we work.
Working closely with the CEO, CTO, Superintendent Pharmacist and COO, you'll play a central role in shaping and delivering our operational strategy. This is a hands-on leadership position with broad exposure across the business, ideal for a senior operations leader ready to step up, broaden their strategic impact, and have a clear line of sight across the whole operation.
The role is designed as a natural progression opportunity, offering the scope, responsibility and visibility to develop into a future COO position over time. You'll gain end-to-end oversight of operations, contribute to long-term planning, and help scale a fast-growing, purpose-led healthcare organisation making a tangible impact on both performance and patient outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership: Lead day-to-day Chemist4U operations: prescription processing, dispensing, fulfilment, logistics, and customer services. Design and optimise workflows to improve speed, accuracy, efficiency, and scale. Implement automation, robotics, and optimisation tools to improve throughput and reduce cost-to-serve. Own operational KPIs including order accuracy, on-time delivery, turnaround time, and cost per order.
- Supply Chain & Medicines Procurement: Oversee wholesale partnerships, supplier negotiations, and procurement strategy for all medicines and products. Ensure stock availability through demand forecasting, expiry control, and proactive management of shortages. Strengthen supply chain resilience to support Chemist4U growth and service reliability.
- Regulatory & Governance Oversight: Ensure operations meet GPhC, MHRA, GDPR and other regulatory requirements. Support the Superintendent Pharmacist in maintaining clinical governance and audit readiness. Ensure robust SOP adherence, controlled drug compliance, and safety protocols.
- Technology & Process Automation: Collaborate with the CTO to deliver technology enhancements supporting operational scale. Implement workflow automation, robotics, dispensing optimisation, and prescriber API integrations. Drive adoption of digital tools that enhance patient experience and internal efficiency.
- Logistics & Delivery Excellence: Develop and optimise nationwide delivery models aligned to Chemist4U's service commitments. Manage courier partners and ensure reliable delivery performance including cold-chain compliance. Oversee resolution of delivery issues and continuous improvement of delivery success rates.
- Strategic Execution: Translate Chemist4U's growth strategy into measurable operational plans. Lead organisational scaling including facilities, automation, people, and processes. Support expansion of service lines such as private prescribing, NHS services, and new product categories.
- People Leadership: Build and develop high-performing teams across operations, fulfilment, and customer service. Implement workforce planning, leadership development, and performance management frameworks. Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-first values.
- Financial Management: Manage operational budgets and collaborate with the CFO on forecasting and cost management. Improve Chemist4U unit economics through efficient operational design and cost optimisation.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate operational, clinical, supply chain, and data risks. Oversee business continuity plans, incident management, and root-cause.
About You
You're an experienced operational leader with a proven record of driving performance in complex, regulated environments. You're looking for a role where you can make a bigger impact, take on more strategic responsibility, and continue growing as a leader. You thrive on optimising end-to-end operations and are confident leading high-performing teams, strengthening supply chains, and working closely with technology and clinical leaders to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-first services. You'll be confident managing KPIs, budgets, and risk, turning strategy into practical action and driving improvements quickly and effectively.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations/Supply Chain (or related)
- Senior leadership experience across Operations/CX/Supply Chain/Procurement in high-growth environments
- Proven track record in process improvement, cost optimisation, and stakeholder leadership
- Familiarity with ERP/automation/data analytics platforms
Desirable
- Professional certifications: Lean Six Sigma, Prince2, APICS (or equivalent)
- Experience in pharmacy, healthcare, or other regulated industries
Company Benefits
Working with an NHS-focused organisation means doing work that truly matters, every day, you'll help make a real, positive impact on the lives of patients across the UK and Ireland. And that's just the start. We also offer:
- Discounted gym membership
- Funded training
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity
- Holiday entitlement is 33 days, including three fixed days for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. All remaining days are flexible
- Health & Wellbeing benefits
- Sick Pay Scheme
- Blue light card membership is available
- Free seasonal flu vaccination
- Regular social events
Operations Director in Skelmersdale employer: Chemist4U
Contact Detail:
Chemist4U Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Skelmersdale
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already working at Chemist4U. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Chemist4U’s mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. Get comfortable talking about your achievements and how they relate to the Operations Director role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Skelmersdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in operational leadership, supply chain management, and process optimisation. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to transform healthcare!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about making healthcare simpler and safer. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance in previous roles, and don’t forget to mention your leadership style.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, like improvements in order accuracy or cost reductions. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chemist4U
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Chemist4U thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent developments in the healthcare sector. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Prepare for Operational Scenarios
As an Operations Director, you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Prepare for situational questions that may ask how you would handle specific operational challenges, such as improving supply chain efficiency or managing a crisis. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Chemist4U values collaboration and high-performing teams. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've built and developed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Discuss Technology Integration
Given the emphasis on technology and process automation in the role, be prepared to talk about your experience with ERP systems, automation tools, and data analytics. Share specific examples of how you've leveraged technology to enhance operational performance and improve customer experience.