At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and drive performance across logistics and production.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on growth and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid work model.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor teams and drive cultural change in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of operations in a rapidly growing business.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in operations, ideally in logistics or food processing.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Central Belt / Yorkshire (Hybrid)
Package: Circa £100k - £120k base bonus comprehensive benefits
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Operations Director will assume full strategic and P&L accountability. This is a pivotal leadership role designed to drive performance, standardisation, and profitability across the logistics and production heart of the business. As the business continues to scale through market share growth and strategic acquisitions, you will be the architect of operational excellence, ensuring that the infrastructure, processes, and teams are resilient, efficient, and future-ready.
Key Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of the P&L for the respective business divisions. You will drive financial performance through rigorous cost control, efficiency optimisation, and value creation.
- As a key member of the executive leadership team, you will input into the strategic due diligence of potential acquisition targets, ensuring that new entities can be seamlessly integrated into the existing operating model.
- With a multi-site, multi-national footprint, this role demands a leader who can establish a robust and standardised operating model.
- You will harmonise practices across the sites and the fleet, ensuring that quality, safety, and regulatory compliance (including environmental and transport regulations) are uniform across all locations, from Scotland to Yorkshire.
- You will lead the Heads of each division to foster a culture of high performance and cooperation.
- Following the recent acquisitions, the business requires an operations leader who can navigate the complexity of integrating new facilities and vehicle fleets.
- You will build a scalable operational architecture that can absorb future growth without compromising service levels.
Essential Experience & Competencies
- Extensive leadership experience in a Head of Operations, Operations Director, or Plant Manager capacity, ideally within the agricultural, food processing or heavy logistics sectors.
- A proven track record of managing complex, multi-site operations, preferably across the UK. Experience with mobile asset fleets or 'hub and spoke' logistics models is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale P&Ls, drive lean manufacturing processes, and implement cost-reduction strategies while maintaining output quality.
- Experience leading teams through periods of rapid growth or transformation (e.g., following Private Equity investment or merger integration). You must be comfortable challenging the status quo to drive efficiency.
- A collaborative and visible leader who can mentor a team of divisional heads. You empower your team to take ownership while maintaining rigorous accountability.
- You are a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable planning for three years out as you are visiting a production facility to spot an inefficiency.
- You possess the emotional intelligence to integrate legacy teams from acquired businesses while driving necessary cultural change.
- You are resilient, practical, and data-driven, with a 'sleeves rolled up' approach to solving the unique challenges of the agricultural supply chain.
This is a hybrid role, requiring regular travel between operational hubs in the Central Belt of Scotland, Yorkshire, and other UK sites.
Operations Director in Skipton employer: Executive Recruit
As an Operations Director at our company, you will join a dynamic and forward-thinking team that values innovation and operational excellence. With a competitive salary package and comprehensive benefits, we foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, ensuring you have the resources and support to thrive in your role. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you lead the charge in optimising our logistics and production operations across the Central Belt and Yorkshire, making a meaningful impact on our continued success and expansion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Skipton
✨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 Executive Recruit 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 Executive Recruit!
✨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 Executive Recruit 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 in Skipton
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 Executive Recruit:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Executive Recruit. 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 Executive Recruit
✨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 Executive Recruit.
✨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 Executive Recruit 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 Executive Recruit. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
