At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales and retail operations for a beloved Scottish brand, driving performance and customer experience.
- Company: Established food manufacturing and retail organisation with over 900 colleagues.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a lasting impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities and access to Scotland's free higher education.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a respected brand while enjoying Scotland's beautiful scenery.
- Qualifications: Proven multi-site retail leadership experience in food or high street retail.
The predicted salary is between 130000 - 130000 € per year.
A Career‑Defining Leadership Opportunity Join a business with momentum. My client is a long‑established, high‑performing food manufacturing and retail organisation with a 72‑store estate across the Central Belt of Scotland and a thriving team of more than 900 colleagues. With annual revenues exceeding £50m, continued investment, and an ambitious growth strategy, the business is poised for its next chapter — and you will be at the heart of it.
Why This Role Matters
As Head of Sales & Retail Operations, you will shape the future of a beloved Scottish retail brand. Reporting directly to the Managing Director/Owner, you will lead 500+ colleagues through six Area Managers and specialist teams, driving performance, elevating customer experience, and championing operational excellence. You will also be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.
What You’ll Lead
- Strategic Leadership
- Set and steer the retail sales and operations strategy.
- Drive commercial performance and sustained organic growth.
- Lead new store openings and unlock new site opportunities.
- Accelerate digital innovation and customer‑facing technology.
- Operational Excellence
- Elevate customer experience and ensure gold‑standard quality.
- Own KPIs across sales, ATV, labour, stock, wastage and complaints.
- Optimise store layouts and operational efficiency.
- People & Culture
- Inspire, develop and lead a 500+ strong retail team.
- Build succession pipelines and nurture future leaders.
- Brand & Customer
- Own the retail marketing plan, promotions and seasonal activity.
- Strengthen customer and colleague feedback loops to fuel improvement.
About You
You will be a seasoned multi‑site retail leader with experience across food, bakery, food‑to‑go or high street retailing. You bring strong commercial, analytical and operational acumen, exceptional communication skills, strategic clarity, and a continuous improvement mindset.
Why You’ll Love It Here
This is a genuine opportunity to leave a legacy. You’ll join a respected, well‑invested business with scale, resources and brand loyalty — but still nimble enough for you to make a visible, organisation‑wide impact. The head office is based in Fife, one of Scotland's most scenic areas, with unrivalled access to good schools, beautiful beaches and countryside and access to Scotland's free higher education. This is a great area for families and is only 30 minutes from Scotland's capital Edinburgh.
Compensation
Base salary £130,000+ Full‑time, minimum 39 hours with required flexibility.
Head of Sales & Retail Operations employer: Engage Recruitment Ltd
Join a dynamic and well-established food manufacturing and retail organisation that values its people and fosters a culture of growth and excellence. As the Head of Sales & Retail Operations, you will not only lead a passionate team of over 500 colleagues but also have the opportunity to shape the future of a beloved Scottish brand in a stunning location that offers a great work-life balance, access to quality education, and the beauty of Scotland's countryside. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on operational excellence, this role provides a unique chance to make a lasting impact while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and ambitious workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sales & Retail Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way, especially for a leadership role like Head of Sales & Retail Operations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent developments, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in shaping their future.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you've inspired teams in the past and how you plan to elevate the customer experience. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact on performance and culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sales & Retail Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Sales & Retail Operations. Highlight your experience in multi-site retail leadership and any achievements that showcase your commercial and operational skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this opportunity and how your vision aligns with our ambitious growth strategy. Be authentic and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of how you inspire and develop teams. Share examples of how you've built succession pipelines or nurtured future leaders in your previous roles. We want to see your people skills!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Engage Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As Head of Sales & Retail Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key performance indicators. Brush up on metrics like sales growth, ATV, and operational efficiency. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these numbers in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role involves leading a large team, so it's crucial to articulate your leadership philosophy. Prepare examples of how you've inspired and developed teams in the past, especially in multi-site environments. Highlight your approach to building succession pipelines and nurturing future leaders.
✨Emphasise Strategic Vision
The company is looking for someone who can set and steer retail strategies. Be prepared to share your vision for driving commercial performance and organic growth. Discuss any innovative ideas you have for new store openings or enhancing customer experience through digital innovation.
✨Connect with Company Values
Research the company's brand and culture thoroughly. During the interview, align your answers with their values and mission. Show that you understand the importance of customer feedback loops and how they can fuel improvement in operations and marketing.
