At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise operations across multiple distribution sites in a dynamic environment.
- Company: A leading tyre wholesaler with a focus on growth and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, company car, private healthcare, and career development.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to customer service and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a successful business while driving efficiency and innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operations leadership within wholesale or logistics environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham (Head Office) Regular Travel Required: Bury St Edmunds and Falkirk Distribution Sites
Reports To: Managing Director
Direct Reports: Site Managers, Warehouse Managers, Transport Manager, Inventory & Operations Teams
Role Overview
Our client is a leading tyre wholesaler supplying independent retailers, fast-fit centres, fleet operators and trade customers across the UK. They are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Operations to lead and optimise operations across their Birmingham headquarters and distribution centres in Bury St Edmunds and Falkirk. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering operational excellence across warehousing, logistics, inventory management, customer fulfilment, health & safety, and workforce leadership. This role will drive efficiency, service performance and scalability whilst supporting the company's continued growth strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership: Provide strategic and hands-on leadership across all operational functions, lead the day-to-day management of warehousing, inventory control, transport and distribution activities, develop and implement operational strategies that support business growth and profitability, standardise processes across all locations to ensure consistency and best practice, establish and monitor operational KPIs, driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Logistics & Distribution: Ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery operations across the UK, optimise route planning, fleet utilisation and third-party logistics partnerships, drive improvements in delivery performance, customer service levels and operating costs, identify opportunities to improve distribution networks and warehouse efficiency.
- Warehouse & Inventory Management: Maintain optimum inventory levels across all sites, implement robust stock control procedures to minimise losses and discrepancies, ensure accurate forecasting, stock replenishment and inventory reporting, improve warehouse layout, productivity and space utilisation.
- Commercial Performance: Work closely with the sales and purchasing teams to align operational capabilities with customer demand, support margin improvement through operational efficiencies and cost control, develop operational budgets and manage expenditure effectively, provide regular reporting and recommendations to the senior leadership team.
- Health, Safety & Compliance: Champion a strong health and safety culture across all sites, ensure full compliance with statutory, industry and company regulations, lead risk assessments, audits and corrective action programmes, maintain operational standards that support customer and supplier requirements.
- People Leadership: Lead, mentor and develop site management teams, drive a high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement, support recruitment, succession planning and employee development initiatives, promote effective communication and collaboration across all locations.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and technology, lead operational projects, site developments and change management initiatives, introduce lean working practices and performance improvement methodologies, utilise operational data and analytics to support decision-making.
Key Skills & Experience
Essential: Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role within wholesale, distribution, logistics or supply chain environments, strong multi-site management experience, demonstrable success leading warehousing and distribution operations, excellent understanding of inventory management and stock control, strong commercial awareness with experience delivering operational efficiencies, experience of managing large teams through site management structures, excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, strong stakeholder management and communication abilities, full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly.
Desirable: Experience within the tyre, automotive aftermarket, wholesale distribution or related sectors, knowledge of fleet management and transport compliance, experience implementing WMS, ERP or operational technology solutions, Lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement qualifications.
Personal Attributes: Strategic thinker with a hands-on leadership style, results-oriented and highly accountable, strong commercial and operational judgement, resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment, excellent people leader capable of inspiring high-performing teams, passionate about customer service and operational excellence.
Package: Competitive Executive Salary, Performance-Based Bonus, Company Car or Car Allowance, Pension Scheme, Private Healthcare, Mobile Phone and Laptop, Career Development Opportunities.
Success Measures: Within the first 12 months, the Head of Operations will be expected to improve OTIF (On-Time In-Full) delivery performance, reduce operational costs through efficiency initiatives, increase warehouse productivity across all sites, improve stock accuracy and inventory management, strengthen health & safety compliance and workplace standards, and develop a consistent operational framework across Birmingham, Bury St Edmunds and Falkirk.
This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious operational leader to play a key role in shaping the future growth and performance of a successful UK tyre wholesale business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Operations in Birmingham
✨Get to Know Local Distribution Centres
Start hanging around local distribution centres and warehouses, like the ones that might belong to Highbridge Talent. Many times, they have sign-up sheets for job openings or even informal meet-ups that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Talk to Recruiters and Employment Agencies
There are loads of recruitment agencies that specifically focus on warehouse and logistics roles. Get in touch with them and let them know you’re looking for full-time work. They often have inside info on openings before they're advertised!
✨Brush Up on Your Skills
Think about the specific skills that are hot in the warehouse sector right now, like inventory management software or health and safety protocols. We can help you find resources to polish up your abilities, which can make you stand out when you're looking at those full-time gigs.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don't forget to keep an eye on our website for any full-time listings at Highbridge Talent. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in logistics and warehousing!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Operations in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Inventory Management:When you're whipping up your CV, make sure to spotlight any experience you've got in inventory management or warehousing. We love to see proficiency in stock control systems or previous roles where you've managed inventory levels. Show us how you can keep things organised and running smoothly!
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In the warehouse and logistics field, attention to detail is key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you've caught mistakes or streamlined processes in the past. Let us know how your precision can contribute to our team at Highbridge Talent.
Get Familiar with Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to warehousing or logistics—like health and safety or forklift operation—make sure they shine on your CV! We appreciate all the qualifications that show you're serious about the role and keeping a safe, efficient workspace.
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:Logistics can be unpredictable, so if you've tackled any significant challenges in previous positions, tell us all about it! Use your cover letter to highlight how you've adapted to situations, such as changes in supply or unexpected delays. We want to see your resourcefulness in action for this full-time role at Highbridge Talent.
How to prepare for a job interview at Highbridge Talent
✨Know Your Warehouse Systems
Familiarise yourself with popular warehouse management systems like SAP or Oracle. If you have experience using these or similar tools, be prepared to discuss how you utilised them to improve efficiency or accuracy in inventory management.
✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills
In the logistics arena, unexpected challenges pop up all the time. Be ready to share some examples of when you faced a logistical hiccup and how you tackled it. This shows you can think on your feet and keep things running smoothly.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Since it’s a full-time position, expect questions about your ability to work in a team in a busy warehousing environment. Share experiences where you collaborated with others, maybe to meet tight deadlines or manage large shipments, ensuring you showcase your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Safety First! Talk About Protocols
Logistics roles require a real understanding of safety protocols. Brush up on basic safety guidelines and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented or adhered to these in past roles. This shows that you’re serious about your role in maintaining a safe working environment.
