At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for our East London depot, ensuring top performance and team success.
- Company: Join HIVED, a fast-growing climate and logistics startup revolutionising parcel delivery.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a dog-friendly office.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with huge learning opportunities and progression based on success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a sustainable company while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in operations management with strong people leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
About HIVED 📦 At HIVED, we’re steamrolling forward as one of Europe’s fastest growing startups, and our momentum shows no signs of slowing. Based in London, we are a climate and logistics start-up building the first sustainable parcel delivery network at scale, powered by a 100% electric fleet. In an ever-growing industry where unreliable service has long been the norm, HIVED has been built from the ground-up to meet the demands of modern consumers and disrupt parcel delivery.
A tech company at heart, our talent and technology is laser-focused on delivering the best possible delivery experience for end-customers and meeting the needs of our retail partners. From our drivers to our data engineers, we are constantly working to improve this customer experience that makes us deliver better.
Already trusted by leading international brands such as John Lewis, Nespresso, Uniqlo, H&M brands and more, we are solidifying our position as the leaders in Europe to tackle this growing market. Our tight-knit team is made up of ex-Revolut, Bain, HelloFresh, ASOS, Apple and Google employees, and we are backed by some of Europe’s leading investors and VCs in climate-tech, logistics and mobility including Planet A Ventures, Maersk Growth, Pale Blue Dot VC, Eka Ventures, NordicNinja VC and the British government. We’re passionate about driving innovation and redefining the future of delivery.
Role Overview 📝 The Operations Director (East) is fully responsible for end-to-end performance of HIVED's East London depot — currently based in Silvertown, relocating to Rainham. This role combines the hands-on, day-to-day site leadership of a General Manager with director-level seniority. This is a hands-on leadership role — leading from the floor, owning local P&L levers, and acting as the primary link between central planning/tech and real operational execution.
- Full P&L ownership for the site
- Hiring and org-design authority for the site's team
- A seat at the Ops Leadership table
The Operations Director (East) reports directly into the COO. A mirrored Operations Director (West) role owns HIVED's West London site on the same basis. This role includes leading the depot's relocation from Silvertown to Rainham.
Accountabilities Accountable for end-to-end and day-to-day site performance, including:
- All on-road activities & KPIs, including driver capacity, driver compliance, overall site performance (SLA, Delivery Success)
- All in-depot day and night activities & KPIs, including people (labour pool, engagement, leadership succession planning), safety (auditing and near miss/incident reporting), quality (SLA, set-off/on-time dispatch), and cost (labour planning D+1/W+1/TPH)
- Health and Safety on-site
- Full site P&L ownership
- Org design, headcount planning, and hiring decisions for the site's team
- Successful delivery of the Silvertown → Rainham depot relocation: site readiness, continuity of operations through the move, and team transition
Responsibilities On-the-road Own DSP management and HIVED Partner Driver capacity & performance management Handle driver issues, escalations & approvals Own legal compliance (hours on road, breaks, safety checks) and driver incident support Drive OTR KPIs: DPR, cost per route, vehicle utilisation, driver attendance, punctuality & reliability Under-the-roof Own labour planning for week-ahead & night Own Sortation Handler hiring & performance management Own inbound, processing, sortation, and dispatch performance, including set-off/on-time dispatch Drive UTR KPIs: TPH and cost per parcel Team Lead and oversee all site operations, directly managing the site's Ops Managers and Senior Ops Managers (currently 4x, with the team growing to include more senior operations managers) Hours must be flexible to manage Day and Night teams — may sometimes come in for set-off, or stay late to meet Night teams, to fully understand E2E performance and areas for improvement Build a high-performing depot team — lead & inspire, develop and performance manage the team; ensure all levels receive training and are motivated; coach Managers to develop into company leaders Own org design, staffing structure, and hiring for the site, including growing the Ops Manager layer into Senior Ops Manager roles; ensure absence cover arrangements are in place Responsible for Health and Safety on site; work with the H&S Manager to drive continuous improvement and embed company processes Overheads Own full site P&L (CM2 & CM3), including budget vs. actuals; fully understand site performance and its cost drivers, contributing to central reporting as required Drive continuous site improvement by proactively understanding levers, prioritising and embedding on an ongoing basis; identify CAPEX opportunities and pitch business cases Own facilities, asset utilisation, and maintenance costs for the site Lead the Silvertown → Rainham transition: site readiness planning, driving continuity of service and safety standards through the move, managing team communication and transition, and coordinating with central/Facilities/Property teams on the physical move.
Requirements 6+ years' experience leading operations teams. Direct last-mile experience is not required. Proven ability to manage large frontline teams via managers, including managing managers of managers as the team grows more senior Experience owning P&L Experience with org design and hiring decisions, ideally including growing/restructuring a frontline management layer Hands-on operator with a strong understanding of unit economics and cost drivers Track record of high impact — able to ideate and implement new initiatives to drive impactful change Track record of running safe, reliable, high-throughput operations Experience leading a site move or major operational transition with minimal service disruption is highly valued, given the planned Silvertown → Rainham relocation Comfortable working in fast-changing, high-growth environments Strong people leader: clear, fair, and direct Excellent cross-functional stakeholder management skills.
How we reward our team 🎁 Dynamic working environment with a diverse and driven team Huge opportunity for learning in a high growth environment, with progression opportunities based on success in the role 25 days of holiday allowance plus public holidays 1 Birthday Day Off + 2 Tenure-Based Additional Days Off Subsidised Private Medical Insurance including dental, vision & mental health therapy Bi-annual performance reviews and tailored development plans Annual compensation review Team lunch provided once a week Quarterly team socials and annual sports day (HIVED Olympics) Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption policy as day 1 right Community volunteer days Cycle to work scheme Dog friendly office and depots MacBook Air or Windows Laptop (depending on your preference).
Our Values 😊 We Are Kind - Kind to the planet, our team and our partners. We listen with purpose, leave our egos at the door and aren't afraid to make difficult decisions. We must never confuse kindness with being "nice" - it requires us to be fair, consistent, honest, thoughtful and compassionate. 🤝 We Are Tenacious - We fight every day to keep the customer promise, for every parcel entrusted to us. No matter how hard it gets or whatever stands in our way, we are relentless in our pursuit of excellence. 💡 We Are Curious - We never settle, constantly challenge convention and are never afraid to ask why. We believe there is always more to learn, always a better way, and that we're always only just getting started. We never fight the urge to be inquisitive, to understand the world around us and to explore where others might not. 🌍 We Are Resourceful - Our planet's resources are scarce and our future depends on our ability to use them wisely. Waste is the enemy. We strive to do more with less, be more efficient and make the most of what we have.
Operations Director in London employer: HIVED
HIVED is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at its Hayes depot where you can thrive in your role as a Fleet & Driver Operations Supervisor. With 25 days of holiday, subsidised medical insurance, and ample opportunities for professional development, we prioritise employee growth and well-being, making it a rewarding place to build your career in logistics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in London
✨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 HIVED 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 HIVED!
✨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 HIVED 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 London
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 HIVED:This is your chance to really connect with the team at HIVED. 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 HIVED
✨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 HIVED.
✨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 HIVED 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 HIVED. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
