At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations to support rapid growth in a chilled-chain environment.
- Company: Join a mission-driven challenger backed by top-tier investors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, shares, and career-defining opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in building a best-in-class operations function.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in FMCG operations with a focus on chilled products.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for international expansion.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview: You’ll be responsible for building an operations engine capable of supporting explosive growth in a short‑shelf‑life, chilled‑chain environment.
Responsibilities:
- 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 we are 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
- 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 employer: Ignite
Contact Detail:
Ignite Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company inside out and come armed with questions that show you’re genuinely interested in their operations and growth plans.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples of how you've scaled operations or improved efficiency in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Director of Operations. Highlight your experience in FMCG operations, especially in chilled or short shelf-life categories, and showcase any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to scale operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've led supply chain initiatives or managed multi-SKU production in fast-paced environments.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to know about your leadership approach! In your application, share how you’ve developed teams and fostered collaboration across departments. This will help us see how you can partner with our founders and other teams.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our mission-led team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ignite
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of supply chain management, especially in chilled-chain logistics. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed operations in fast-paced environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've developed and managed teams in previous roles. Highlight your hands-on approach and resilience, and be ready to share stories that demonstrate how you've led teams through challenges while maintaining morale and productivity.
✨Understand the Business Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators like OTIF (On Time In Full) and waste control. Be prepared to discuss how you've improved these metrics in your previous roles and how you plan to maintain them in a new position.
✨Be Ready for Strategic Discussions
Since this role involves international expansion, think about how you would approach scaling operations across different markets. Prepare insights on market trends and how they could impact operations, and be ready to discuss your commercially minded approach to balancing cost and growth.