At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to optimise supply chain operations and drive performance.
- Company: Join DHL Supply Chain, a leader in logistics and ecommerce.
- Benefits: Company car scheme, generous pension, 24/7 GP consultations, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of logistics while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location
United Kingdom – Hybrid/Remote
As an Operations Director within DHL Supply Chain's Ecommerce and Retail division, you're at the heart of an industry-leading logistics powerhouse.
Every day, you shape the success of some of the UK's most recognisable brands, ensuring their products flow smoothly through our network and into customers' hands.
You'll lead passionate teams, drive performance across multiple high-profile sites, and make strategic decisions that directly influence the future of our operations.
It's a role where your leadership has real impact, and where innovation, safety, and operational excellence go hand in hand.
At DHL, you're part of a global business known for developing talent, rewarding ambition, and giving leaders the platform to truly excel.
You'll immerse yourself in a culture built on respect, continuous improvement, and doing what's right for our people and customers.
It's fast, dynamic, and packed with opportunity perfect for someone who wants to build something exceptional while pushing both themselves and the business forward.
Together, we don't just move products… we keep the world moving.
- ✅A TYPICAL DAY MAY INVOLVE
- Leading and inspiring senior operational teams across multiple sites, creating clarity of purpose, building strong engagement, and ensuring leaders are aligned, accountable, and fully invested in delivering the end to end strategy.
- Setting strategic direction for a multi‑site operation, ensuring the entire end‑to‑end supply chain, from source to store is optimised, connected, and resilient.
- Leading transformation, automation, and CI programmes, identifying where technology, process redesign, or new ways of working can unlock efficiency, accuracy, and speed across the network.
- Driving supply chain planning excellence, influencing replenishment strategies, ANR stock planning, and network stock flow to improve product availability and reduce waste across ecommerce and retail channels.
- Conducting structured Gemba activity and performance reviews, using data and behavioural insight to identify capability gaps, fix root causes, and create sustainable improvements.
- Strengthening executive‑level customer relationships, particularly with major UK retailers, shaping strategy and driving collaborative decisions that enhance end‑to‑end performance.
- Overseeing operational governance, compliance, and future resource planning, ensuring we have the right skills, leadership bench, automation readiness, and structure to support long‑term growth.
- Collaborating across functions and customer groups (Supply Chain, Planning, Retail, Transport, IT, Finance) to ensure decisions are joined‑up and not made independently within siloed teams.
- Assessing where value is delivered across the supply chain, identifying inefficiencies, challenging established thinking, and improving the connectivity between sourcing, logistics fulfilment, and retail operations.
- ✅THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT PEOPLE WHO
- Lead and inspire high‑performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, empowerment, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.
- Embrace automation as a strategic enabler, understanding how digital tools, mechanisation, and data‑driven technologies can enhance accuracy, speed, safety, and efficiency across a multi‑site network.
- Navigate complex stakeholder environments, influencing senior customer boards, retail planning teams, and internal leaders to align decisions.
- Are true end‑to‑end supply chain thinkers, able to understand, influence, and optimise the full chain, from sourcing and inbound flows to replenishment, logistics operations, and retail execution.
- Have strong retail or FMCG supply chain exposure, bringing insight into how stock planning, availability, fulfilment, and store performance connect to operational success.
- Drive continuous improvement and transformation, using structured methodologies and insights to raise standards, build efficiency, and remove waste across an entire operation.
- Bring strong commercial and strategic acumen, understanding how operational performance, cost control, availability, and innovation combine to create sustainable customer value.
- Think boldly but stay grounded, balancing long‑term strategic direction with practical, shop‑floor‑level leadership where real value and insight are found.
- Enjoy shaping transformation, helping customers modernise legacy ways of working and shift towards connected, automated, data‑driven supply chain operations.
✅WHY JOIN US?
- Access to the Company car scheme, or car allowance
- Join our generous pension scheme and benefit from an 8% employer contribution, alongside a 4% employee contribution
- Free confidential 24/7 GP consultations
- Hundreds of retail and lifestyle discounts
- Affordable loans, savings schemes and free mortgage advice
- Visit to learn more
Operations Director employer: DHL Group
DHL Group in Harlow offers a dynamic work environment where employees are valued and encouraged to grow. With a focus on teamwork and collaboration, the company provides comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that you can advance your career while contributing to efficient transport operations. Enjoy the benefits of a permanent full-time position with a supportive culture that prioritises employee well-being and job satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like DHL Group and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at DHL Group!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like DHL Group keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to DHL Group:This is your chance to really connect with the team at DHL Group. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at DHL Group
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with DHL Group.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show DHL Group that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at DHL Group. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
