Commercial Operations Manager in Arundel

About Digby

Digby Fine English is one of the UK's leading producers of luxury English sparkling wine, based in Arundel, West Sussex. We own and work with some of the country's finest vineyards to produce internationally recognised sparkling wines, and we are growing fast. We are a small, ambitious team. Everyone who joins us makes a visible difference, and this role is no exception.

The Role

We are looking for a Commercial Operations Manager to become the operational backbone of Digby. This is a varied, desk-based role with a meaningful commercial dimension — ideal for someone who is equally comfortable following up a sales lead as they are managing a stock record. You will work directly alongside a part-time Senior Sales Manager who is responsible for building relationships and bringing in new business. Your job is to make sure everything that follows actually happens: the follow-up, the paperwork, the invoicing, the coordination, the dispatch. You are the person who ensures that a conversation becomes an order, and an order becomes a happy customer.

Beyond sales administration, you will be the connective tissue between our production, logistics and finance functions — keeping records accurate, outsource partners on track, and the day-to-day running of the business tight. You will work closely with the Finance Director and CEO. The role is primarily office-based. However, you will be expected to travel between our Arundel office and our nearby winery when dispatch or operational tasks require it, and occasional hands-on involvement — labelling, packing, handling cases of wine — comes with the territory. If you are the sort of person who does not mind rolling up your sleeves when needed, you will fit right in.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales administration & commercial follow-through
• Act as the critical link between the Senior Sales Manager and the customer — following up on leads, progressing enquiries and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks
• Process orders from initial enquiry through to invoicing, confirmation and dispatch coordination
• Manage CRM records and data entry to keep the sales pipeline accurate and up to date
• Prepare sales documentation, account materials and presentations as required
• Handle inbound trade and consumer enquiries professionally and promptly
• Production & outsource partner management
• Coordinate secondary winemaking activities with outsourced partners, including lees ageing, riddling, disgorgement and labelling
• Manage work orders and supplier communications to maintain quality, consistency and delivery timelines
• Support production planning and capacity management alongside the CEO
• Assist with vineyard logistics coordination as required
• Logistics & dispatch
• Coordinate and oversee dispatch of regular trade pallets and direct consumer orders
• Manage dispatch operative(s) and relationships with couriers
• Travel to the Arundel winery when dispatch or operational tasks require physical presence
• Hands-on involvement in labelling and packaging for special orders when needed
• Ensure all goods received and despatched are accurately recorded
• Stock & inventory management
• Maintain accurate stock and production records across our systems
• Monitor and manage dry goods stock levels and oversee procurement
• Track work orders, goods in and goods out to ensure data integrity
• Monitor rate of sale to ensure no out of stocks.
• Operational planning & general support
• Support the business with event logistics when required
• Assist with finance and sales administration on an ad hoc basis
• Identify operational improvements and flag risks proactively

About You

We are looking for someone with a particular type of character as much as a particular background. The right person will be:

• Exceptionally organised — someone who runs on checklists, follows up without being asked and never lets things fall through the cracks
• Commercially minded, with the confidence to follow up a lead, send an invoice and progress a sale without hand-holding
• A natural problem-solver with a positive, proactive attitude
• A strong communicator who can work across functions in a small, fast-moving team
• Comfortable with technology and keen to explore the potential of new tools, including AI
• Happy to get hands-on when the role requires it — this is a small business and everyone pitches in
• Physically able to lift and handle cases of wine up to 25 kg on occasion

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience in an operations, sales administration, or office management role
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Experience with CRM or stock management systems an advantage
• Clean UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are essential
• Prior wine or food & drink industry experience is helpful but not required
• Forklift certification is helpful but not required

Location & Travel

This role is primarily desk-based at our headquarters at 55–57 High Street, Arundel, BN18 9AJ, with the potential for occasional home working. Regular travel to our winery at Madehurst Road, Black Barn Farm, Madehurst, West Sussex, BN18 0NJ is required when dispatch or operational tasks demand it. A clean UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are therefore essential.

Working Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:30–5:00 with half an hour for lunch. Full-time preferred (minimum four days per week).

Salary & Benefits

£35,000–£40,000 per annum, dependent on experience. Pension. Parental Leave Policy. Complimentary Digby Wine Club membership. Staff discounts on wine. Team tastings and wine education.