Director of Operations in Harlow

Ready to bring passion into your career? Clarins Group is a trusted French family-owned company, a leader in skincare and make-up, operating in more than 150 countries. We are looking for a Director of Operations based in our Harlow Head Office.

About the Job

• Lead Clarins UK operations to ensure a resilient, agile and customer‑centric supply chain that supports approximately 110 million in annual revenue across retail stores, ecommerce, wholesale, distributors and strategic B2B customers.
• Deliver operational excellence through digitalisation, automation and continuous improvement to support profitable growth and an exceptional customer experience.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the UK Operations Strategy in alignment with the Company’s commercial objectives and global supply chain priorities.
• Lead operational transformation through digitalisation, automation, process optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Provide overall accountability for the UK Distribution Centre (116,000 sq ft): ensure safe, compliant and efficient inbound, storage, fulfilment and outbound operations while maintaining inventory accuracy and capacity to support growth.
• Own the S&OP process and lead demand, forecasting and supply planning. Ensure accurate forecasting, inventory optimisation (inventory valued up to 18 million) and reliable order fulfilment across retail, wholesale, ecommerce and marketplace channels.
• Develop and manage transport strategy and third‑party logistics/carrier relationships to optimise cost, service and sustainability while meeting KPIs/SLAs and improving delivery performance.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team. Manage operational budgets, deliver cost optimisation, ensure governance, compliance and robust risk/inventory controls.

About you:

• You are customer oriented, result driven, passionate about our brand and challenges, with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong commitment to responsible beauty.
• A collaborative leader who fosters accountability, innovation and employee wellbeing while driving measurable operational improvements.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Proven experience as a senior supply chain / operations leader in a complex, omnichannel environment with responsibility for warehousing and distribution.
• Demonstrable experience managing a large warehouse operation and third‑party logistics providers.
• Experience leading S&OP, demand and supply planning, inventory management and order fulfilment across multiple channels.
• Strong commercial mindset with experience managing operational budgets and delivering cost efficiencies.
• Excellent relationship management and influencing skills; ability to work cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Digital, Finance, IT, People & Culture and global teams.
• Experience interpreting complex data sets and translating insights into clear, purposeful recommendations and business cases.
• Track record delivering digitalisation, automation and continuous improvement initiatives in operations.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint) and high computer literacy; experience with ERP/WMS and planning systems (e.g., Infor, JDE or SAP).
• Educated to degree level in Operations, Business Management or equivalent.

Preferred qualifications

• CPIM or CSCP desirable.

About the benefits

• Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience.
• Benefits: Health & Travel (Family Cover), 10% Pension Contribution, 50% Staff Discount, Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• A flexible work environment, with up to 2 days of remote working per week.
• Opportunity to lead a high‑impact function at a recognised B‑Corp certified, purpose‑driven company.

If you have a curious mind, a thirst to go further and the drive to boldly take on new challenges, join us.

About Clarins Group

A B-Corp certified global leading skincare and make-up company, Clarins group is the embodiment of a committed family history, with a fierce passion for innovation and spirit of independence. Our purpose 'making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet,' is a core commitment outlined in our by-laws. Operating in more than 150 countries thanks to our 8,000 employees worldwide, we are now the number one skincare company in Europe and are accelerating our development on all other continents, particularly in Asia and the Americas.

In line with our dual CSR mission of ‘Caring for people, caring for the planet’ we take pride in offering a rewarding yet challenging work environment where everyone can thrive. This culture allowed us to achieve the certification of Forbes' World’s Best Employers 2024, Forbes' World’s Best Employers 2024 for Women.

Equal opportunity employer

We believe in making life more beautiful for our employees and our customers. Inclusion and diversity are firmly grounded in our core values. We strive to achieve inclusiveness, and we foster an equal-opportunity culture where everyone can reach their full potential and do their best work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are a member of the ILO (International Labor Organization) and the Employers Network for Equity and Inclusion (ENEI).