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- Tasks: Lead and scale operations for a fast-growing FMCG brand with ambitious growth plans.
- Company: Dynamic challenger brand in the FMCG sector, backed by top-tier investors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, shares, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and shape the future of a rapidly growing brand.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in FMCG operations, strong leadership, and chilled-chain logistics experience.
- Other info: Exciting career-defining opportunity with excellent growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 125000 £ per year.
Operations Director
Short Shelf Life Challenger Brand
£120,000 - £150,000 + bonus + EMI shares
Central London/Hybrid
Ignite are delighted to be partnering with a fast-growing FMCG challenger with huge momentum behind them. The business is gearing up for an ambitious scale-up plan to reach £50m within the next two years. They are now looking for an exceptional Operations Director to lead and scale their end-to-end operations and supply chain. You’ll be responsible for building an operations engine capable of supporting explosive growth in a short-shelf-life, chilled-chain environment.
What will you be doing?
- Leading the full end-to-end supply chain
- Ensuring best-in-class availability, OTIF performance and waste control across retail and D2C channels.
- Designing scalable systems, processes and S&OP frameworks to support rapid product and SKU expansion.
- Managing and developing a growing operations team.
- Partnering closely with founders, finance and commercial teams to protect margins and safeguard service levels.
- Overseeing cost, margin and commodity volatility across raw materials, manufacturing and distribution.
- Playing a strategic role in future international expansion across the US, EU and Middle East.
Who are we looking for?
- 10+ years’ experience leading FMCG operations, ideally with chilled or short shelf-life categories.
- A proven track record scaling operations in fast-growth environments.
- Strong S&OP, planning and supply chain leadership experience.
- Deep understanding of chilled-chain logistics and margin-sensitive categories.
- Experience managing multi-SKU production with tight shelf-life constraints.
- A commercially minded approach, able to balance cost, growth and availability.
- A hands-on, resilient leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and brings teams with them.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary with bonus and shares
- Private healthcare
- The chance to join a mission-led challenger backed by top-tier investors
- This is a career-defining opportunity to build a best-in-class function for a brand that is rapidly becoming a category leader.
What happens next?
Now: Apply today with your CV which will be reviewed by our Ignite team.
First Stage: Teams call with the Founder
Second Stage: Present a task
Third Stage: Meet CFO
People are at the heart of everything we do. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process that means people can be their best authentic self. We would love to reply to all applications, regrettably we are unable to do so due to the high volumes we receive, so if you do not hear back within 14 days unfortunately on this role it won’t be progressing. It is possible that the position could be in the process of closing, so chalk it up to bad timing. But, have no fear! There will be more opportunities. Follow us so you don’t miss them.
Director of Operations in City of London employer: Ignite
Contact Detail:
Ignite Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the FMCG space and let them know you're on the hunt for an Operations Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s growth plans and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their ambitious scale-up goals. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit for their operations team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to present a task or during interviews, highlight specific examples of how you've successfully scaled operations in fast-paced environments. Numbers speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining a mission-led challenger brand that’s making waves in the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in FMCG operations, especially in chilled or short shelf-life categories. We want to see how your skills align with our ambitious scale-up plans!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've successfully scaled operations in fast-growth environments. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for operations and why you’re excited about joining a mission-led challenger brand like ours. Let us know how you can contribute to our growth story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ignite
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key metrics. Brush up on your knowledge of supply chain KPIs, cost management, and performance indicators. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these metrics in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a hands-on leader who can inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've developed and managed teams in fast-paced environments. Highlight your approach to building a culture of accountability and collaboration.
✨Understand the Business Model
Familiarise yourself with the company's operations and their unique challenges in the chilled-chain environment. Be prepared to discuss how you would design scalable systems and processes that align with their ambitious growth plans.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this role involves partnering with founders and finance teams, think about how you can contribute to strategic decisions. Prepare insights on international expansion and how you would safeguard service levels while managing costs and margins.
