At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and improve market experiences across Kirklees' vibrant community markets.
- Company: Kirklees Council, dedicated to transforming local markets and supporting communities.
- Benefits: Great staff benefits, including support for work-life balance and professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join us in reshaping markets and making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and a passion for community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
Our employees are at the very heart of the services we provide to the community. In return, we will make sure you are rewarded with a great range of staff benefits to support you in and out of work.
Join us at a pivotal moment as we reshape how markets operate across Kirklees, creating modern, welcoming, customer‐focused spaces for the future.
Are you an experienced, energetic and people‐focused operational leader looking for your next challenge? Do you want to play a key role in shaping the future of vibrant, community‐centred markets across Kirklees? If so, we would love to hear from you.
This is an exceptionally exciting time to join the Markets Service at Kirklees Council. With over £17m of investment committed to transforming Huddersfield Open Market and Dewsbury Market, we are entering a period of major growth, regeneration and innovation. Our markets sit at the heart of our town centres, supporting local businesses, boosting footfall, and bringing communities together — and you can help drive this next chapter.
Alongside these major projects, we are seeing increasing demand for smaller, local fresh‐food markets. This role offers the opportunity to help shape how we respond to that demand, grow our offer, and maximise income and customer satisfaction.
As Operations Manager, you will work closely with the Markets Manager to deliver high‐quality, day‐to‐day operations across our indoor markets, outdoor markets and themed market events. You will also play a pivotal role in supporting the development of our major regeneration projects and ensuring our services are ready to meet the demands of the new markets.
This is a role for someone who thrives on variety, problem‐solving and meaningful collaboration. You'll be a visible leader across our market sites, working directly with traders, local businesses, internal teams, contractors and partners.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading on a wide range of operational and improvement‐focused responsibilities.
- Developing strategies and business improvement plans to attract more visitors and enhance the market experience.
- Supporting the Markets Manager to shape a strong communications and marketing approach that helps us meet financial and customer targets.
- Working closely with traders and local businesses to support growth and sustain a vibrant marketplace.
- Designing and implementing customer feedback processes, ensuring insight translates into real, positive change.
- Continually reviewing and assessing KPIs, ensuring the service is high‐performing and future‐ready.
- Managing multiple premises across the district, including on‐site teams delivering frontline services.
- Working with procurement to ensure compliance when purchasing new equipment or awarding contracts.
- Embedding health & safety best practice and ensuring broader compliance across the markets sector.
- Acting as a key contact for traders, supporting them through change and helping them grow their businesses.
- Taking a flexible approach to hours in order to meet service and site operational needs.
What We're Looking For
- A proven track record in operational management, service improvement and people leadership.
- A passion for working with communities, local businesses and diverse stakeholders.
- Energy, initiative and a strong commitment to customer experience.
- The ability to manage complex workloads, lead change and deliver tangible improvements.
- Excellent communication and relationship‐building skills.
- A hands‐on, solutions‐focused approach.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Karen Roche or Jaime Nalson at 01484 221000. Karen.Roche@kirklees.gov.uk / Jaime.Nalson@kirklees.gov.uk
Operations Manager Markets in Huddersfield employer: Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises its employees, offering a comprehensive range of benefits to support both personal and professional growth. As an Operations Manager in the vibrant community of Kirklees, you will play a crucial role in transforming local markets, fostering collaboration with traders and businesses, and contributing to the regeneration of town centres. With a commitment to innovation and community engagement, this position provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive work culture focused on development and success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager Markets in Huddersfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for community-focused markets shine through. Share your ideas on how to enhance customer experiences and attract more visitors — it’ll make you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to organisations you admire, like Kirklees Council, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can open doors you didn’t even know existed!
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website! We’ve got loads of resources and tips to help you ace your job search. Plus, applying through our site can give you an edge, as we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals ready to make a difference in our communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager Markets in Huddersfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for community-focused markets shine through. We want to see how your energy and commitment can help shape the future of our vibrant market spaces.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your operational management experience and any relevant projects you've led. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a proven track record in service improvement and people leadership, so be specific!
Be Personable:Since this role involves working closely with traders and local businesses, don’t shy away from showcasing your excellent communication skills. We love seeing candidates who can build relationships and foster collaboration.
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 at Kirklees Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know Your Markets
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the current state of markets in Kirklees. Familiarise yourself with recent developments, community needs, and how the council is reshaping these spaces. This knowledge will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead diverse teams, manage change, and improve services. Think about specific situations where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders or driven operational improvements.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
The role focuses heavily on enhancing customer satisfaction. Be ready to discuss strategies you've implemented in the past to improve customer experiences. Share insights on how you gather feedback and translate it into actionable changes that benefit both traders and visitors.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of challenges you've faced in operational management and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, demonstrating your hands-on approach and solutions-focused mindset.
