At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative supply chain and warehouse operations for future growth and digital advancement.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on operational excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy extra annual leave, health cashback, pension scheme, life assurance, and free parking.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for leadership and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising logistics and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in large-scale operations and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Group General Manager will lead a transformative programme to optimise the organisation’s supply chain and warehouse operations, positioning the function for future growth and digital advancement. This is a critical leadership role responsible for enhancing operational efficiency, modernising warehouse management systems, and ensuring the seamless flow of products across all business divisions and locations—from influencing how goods for sale are delivered through to how customer delivery is achieved to agreed SLAs.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning: Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors and relevant functions of the business to shape and future proof the warehousing & outbound logistics vision and strategy for the Scolmore Group into clear, actionable objectives. Hold full accountability for site safety, ensuring a highly visible safety‑first culture. Be aware and maintain expert knowledge on working practices to ensure legal & operational compliance to relevant company standards and those set by law. Proactively monitor changing trends in the business, identify potential challenges within the warehouse and logistics landscape early, developing effective mitigation strategies as required.
- Identify the right calibre of human resource and the effective development of people is central to the success of a well organised warehouse & distribution operation. The post holder will therefore have the gravitas to take the lead and set the vision.
- Provide expert insight, guidance, and support to the Board, delivering high‑quality reports within agreed timeframes, supported by meaningful analysis and commentary.
- Use data driven assessment to evaluate operational improvement ideas.
- Work in partnership with the project management office key stakeholders, internal departments, and external vendors to implement and enhance systems, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure, acting as subject‑matter expert in this regard.
- Identify opportunities for process optimisation, providing strategic direction and actively supporting the delivery of improvement initiatives.
- Anticipate future space, equipment, and resource requirements in line with the organisation’s growth strategy.
- Design and consider future models of operation that could be adopted to better suit the business demand.
- Act as the functional lead for warehouse expansion, relocation, and growth projects.
- Remain informed of emerging trends and innovations in warehouse technology, leveraging these to drive operational improvements and strengthen route‑to‑market strategies.
- Take ownership of budget forecasting, proactively identifying efficiencies and cost‑saving opportunities for Board consideration.
- Accountability for all inventory across all locations is a pre‑requisite for this role.
- Operate with a strong strategic focus, clearly articulating how activities align with organisational objectives and contributing to the wider business strategy and policy development.
- Develop and implement robust business continuity and disaster recovery plans to safeguard operational resilience.
People:
- Provide leadership, direction and management to the Head of Operations, building highly engaged leadership teams and embedding a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
- Serve as an escalation point for complex HR matters, working in partnership with the Head of Operations to ensure effective, compliant, and people‑focused outcomes.
Transport and Logistics:
- Monitoring and evaluating the performance of transportation and logistics service providers, holding them accountable for agreed‑upon service levels.
- Collaborating with other departments, such as procurement, sales, and customer service, to align logistics strategies with overall business objectives.
- Supporting regular reviews on the suitability and competitiveness of all service providers to the warehouse and logistics operation.
Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Skills
- Proven experience leading large‑scale, multi‑site operations, supply chain, and warehouse functions at a senior level.
- Ability to develop and deliver operational strategies aligned to business growth and customer expectations.
- Deep understanding of end‑to‑end supply chain processes (procurement, inventory control, warehousing, distribution).
- Track record of driving efficiency, cost monitoring, and service improvements through continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma).
- Ability to analyse complex operational data, design & create KPIs and translate it into actionable insights for senior leadership and Board‑level reporting.
- Strong financial awareness, including budgeting, cost control, and ROI evaluation of operational initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen with an ability to regularly benchmark 3rd party services.
- Ability to engage and influence at all levels, including Board and senior stakeholders.
- A methodical approach with demonstrable expertise.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex operational concepts.
- Strong track record of delivering large operational or systems projects on time and within budget.
- A proven expert in overseeing and providing leadership to a busy warehousing & distribution operation.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Experience within large scale (000’s of SKUs) electrical distribution, manufacturing, distribution or wholesale environments.
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt, Black Belt) or equivalent continuous improvement qualifications.
Education and Qualifications
- Business Related Degree or demonstrable experience.
Benefits
- Option to purchase up to 5 extra days annual leave
- Health Cashback Plan
- Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Free Parking
- Company Car
Site Location: Scolmore House, Tamworth, B79 7UL
Group General Manager - Operations employer: Espire
Scolmore Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Tamworth where innovation and operational excellence are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee development, the company provides numerous growth opportunities, a supportive culture that prioritises safety and accountability, and attractive benefits such as additional annual leave and a health cashback plan. Join us to be part of a transformative journey in supply chain and warehouse operations, where your contributions will directly impact our future success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group General Manager - Operations
✨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 Espire 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 Espire!
✨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 Espire 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 Group General Manager - Operations
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 Espire:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Espire. 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 Espire
✨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 Espire.
✨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 Espire 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 Espire. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
