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, career-defining role, and the chance to make a lasting impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enjoy access to excellent schools and Edinburgh.
- 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 in Scotland employer: Engage Recruitment Ltd
Join a well-established and high-performing food manufacturing and retail organisation that values its people and fosters a culture of growth and innovation. As the Head of Sales & Retail Operations, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a scenic location, with access to excellent schools and beautiful surroundings, all while making a significant impact on the future of a beloved Scottish brand. With competitive compensation and a commitment to employee development, this role offers a unique chance to shape your legacy within a thriving business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sales & Retail Operations in Scotland
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you articulate why you’re the right fit for the Head of Sales & Retail Operations role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience and how it relates to driving performance and operational excellence. Highlight your leadership style and how you inspire teams to achieve their best.
✨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 in Scotland
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 background aligns with our ambitious growth strategy. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We want to know how you inspire and develop teams. Share examples of how you've built succession pipelines or nurtured future leaders in your previous roles. This will help us see how you can elevate our 500+ strong retail team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 stock management. 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 any succession planning initiatives you've implemented.
✨Emphasise Operational Excellence
Operational efficiency is key in this position. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've used to optimise store layouts and improve customer experience. Share success stories that illustrate your ability to elevate standards and drive performance.
✨Align with Their Vision
Understand the company's growth strategy and be ready to discuss how you can contribute. Research their recent initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their goals, particularly in digital innovation and customer engagement.
