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- Tasks: Lead and optimise operations in a fast-growing food distribution company.
- Company: Join goodnus, a sustainability-focused leader in food and beverage distribution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, private medical, life assurance, and pension.
- Why this job: Shape the future of operations while making a positive environmental impact.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in senior operations, preferably in food or logistics.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth into an Operations Director role.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
goodnus Ltd is a leading food and beverage distribution business with our main depot in Harlow. We specialise in supplying and delivering a wide range of office refreshments, including milk, milk alternatives, fruit, snacks, tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and chilled drinks to some of the most iconic businesses and buildings within London. We are a sustainably focused company and believe that limiting the impact on the environment should be a leading consideration when making any business decision, and actively encourage our customers to adopt a similar mentality when it comes to purchasing food and drink that is consumed within the office.
This is a senior, board reporting leadership role with end-to-end responsibility for all operational activity across goodnus, with a clear pathway to progress into an Operations Director position within 18–24 months, subject to performance. The Head of Operations will oversee warehouse operations, logistics, fleet, compliance, food safety, health & safety, and operational people management, ensuring the business operates safely, efficiently, compliantly and at scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership & Strategy
- Own and lead all operational functions across warehouses, logistics, fleet and fulfilment.
- Set operational strategy aligned to growth, capacity planning and service excellence.
- Act as the senior escalation point for operational issues, incidents or non-compliances.
- Report operational performance, risks and KPIs directly to the Board.
- Own and manage group Health & Safety and Food Safety policies.
- Warehouse, Logistics & Fleet Oversight
- Oversee multi-site warehouse operations, including goods-in, picking, packing, stock control and dispatch.
- Ensure effective management of temperature-controlled environments.
- Lead logistics and fleet operations, including overnight and out-of-hours delivery models.
- Ensure fleet, drivers and vehicles remain compliant with DVSA and road safety standards.
- Food Safety, Compliance & H&S
- Hold senior responsibility for food safety, hygiene, allergens and temperature compliance.
- Ensure full compliance with SALSA, HACCP, SafeContractor, H&S and statutory requirements.
- Lead internal audits, corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain audit-ready systems, logs and documentation across all sites.
- Oversee risk assessments, accident investigations and safety training.
- People Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor and develop Warehouse Operations Managers, shift managers/controllers and team leaders.
- Set clear standards for performance, accountability and professionalism.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training and succession planning within operations.
- Work closely with HR on performance management, capability issues and wellbeing.
- Systems, Process & Continuous Improvement
- Own and improve operational SOPs, workflows and controls.
- Ensure effective use of WMS, IMS, fleet and compliance systems.
- Drive efficiency improvements, waste reduction and error reduction.
- Support scaling operations into new sites, buildings and regions.
- Cross-Functional & Commercial Support
- Work closely with the CEO, COO, CFO and commercial teams to align operations with growth plans.
- Provide operational input into pricing, service design and customer onboarding.
- Support ESG and sustainability initiatives through operational best practice.
Experience & Requirements
- 3–5+ years' experience in a senior operational leadership role within a food, FMCG, logistics or temperature-controlled environment.
- Proven experience operating within a scale-up or fast-growing business.
- Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, allergens and temperature-controlled operations.
- Experience managing out-of-hours and overnight logistics operation.
- Experience across multi-site warehouse operations.
- Exposure to fleet management and refrigerated vehicles.
- Strong systems mindset (WMS / IMS / compliance platforms).
- Demonstrable leadership of managers and operational teams.
- Excellent organisational, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Comfortable reporting to senior leadership level.
- Full UK driving licence.
Qualifications (Preferred)
- HACCP Level 2 (or higher).
- Food Safety Level 3.
- IOSH / NEBOSH Health & Safety qualification.
- SALSA, SafeContractor or similar audit experience.
- Forklift licence (counterbalance) – desirable but not essential.
Remuneration
- Salary - Open/negotiable subject to experience.
- Bonus.
- Private Medical + Life Assurance.
- Pension.
Why Join goodnus?
- Senior, influential role reporting directly into the Board.
- Opportunity to shape and scale operations within a high-growth business.
- Sustainability-led company with strong values and purpose.
- Significant investment in infrastructure, systems and people.
- Real autonomy to lead, improve and make lasting impact.
How to Apply
To apply for this role simply respond to this post with a short covering letter telling us a little bit about yourself, and why you think you'll make a good addition to our team. goodnus Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Head of Operations in Harlow employer: Goodnus
Contact Detail:
Goodnus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Harlow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food and beverage industry, especially those who work at goodnus or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research goodnus, their sustainability efforts, and their operational strategies. Show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your experience in operational leadership and how it aligns with goodnus's goals. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows us you’re keen and professional, which is always a plus!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and perspectives.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Head of Operations role. Highlight your relevant experience in food safety, logistics, and team leadership, and explain how these align with our values at goodnus.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, especially in operational leadership.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodnus
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into goodnus and its operations. Familiarise yourself with their sustainability initiatives, food safety standards, and logistics processes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their values.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to mentor and develop others, as this is crucial for the Head of Operations role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of food safety and compliance at goodnus, expect questions around these topics. Brush up on SALSA, HACCP, and other relevant regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles and how you would maintain audit-readiness.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
This role requires a balance of strategic oversight and hands-on leadership. Prepare to discuss how you've developed operational strategies that align with business growth. Think about how you can contribute to goodnus's goals and be ready to share your vision for scaling operations.
