Head of Operations UK&i in London

La Prairie and Chantecaille are seeking a Head of Operations for the UK & Ireland to drive business performance and operational excellence. This is a fast-paced role suited to an experienced supply chain professional, working within a team of three and managing one direct report.

Role Purpose/Mission

• Functional and strategic leadership of country Supply Planning, Customer service and Logistics functions in UK for both brands.
• Drive the implementation of strategies, measuring results to align with company business goals and objectives.
• Manage the warehouse integration from a UK standpoint in Q3 and Q4 2026, ensuring a seamless transition for both brands.
• Oversee day-to-day operational activities across the UK region, ensuring smooth and efficient processing of all orders.
• Provide recommendations and solutions to senior management team.
• Through collaboration and sharing of best practices ensure a better understanding on Logistics & Supply Chain to allow for more informed decision making.
• Lead the S&OP process.
• Present weekly updates on deliverables, Key performance indicators and Service level agreements as part of business update with Leadership team.
• Ensure responsible replenishment of inventory through collaboration with Finance department to maintain stock valuation targets are met.
• Ensure optimised level of relevant stock in warehouses as well as at retailer level; avoid out of stock, overstocks and meet new launch activity on counter dates to ensure best client experience.
• Implement a cost control mindset across the department while ensuring all invoices are approved in a timely manner.

Main Accountabilities Driving Business Performance

• Conduct weekly/bi-weekly/monthly calls with Buying and Merchandising teams to review all business opportunities and issues.
• Oversee wholesale & Ecom orders to ensure customers receive their order correctly and promptly and maintaining relationship with 3PL.
• Monitor retailer stock levels to ensure consistent replenishment and planned exit strategy for aged stock.
• Identify opportunities to sell in additional revenue and mitigate return liabilities.
• Ensure accurate forecasting for NPD and core lines, and proactive inventory and assortment management, with close collaboration with Marketing and Supply Chain.
• Monitor, manage, and optimize net sales performance.
• Retain agility to react to retail trends and maximize opportunities across channels.
• Interact with supply planning partners to identify forecast deviation and/or supply chain constraints and establish safety stock levels.
• Ensure on-time availability of product, developing action plans or alternatives for delayed product.
• Participate in the pre-budget/budget process.
• Manage the order to delivery process, in terms of payment, product availability, lead-time, logistics arrangement and documentation.
• Ensure customer service activities are fully compliant.
• Managing Retailer Returns across the business.
• Working with Supply chain to optimise stock fulfilment.

Team Management

• Lead the operations team, guiding and mentoring them to develop their skills and improve performance.
• Manage change within the department, ensuring a smooth transition during any new initiatives or process adjustments.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and growth within the team, supporting personal and professional development.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• High level of experience in relevant Supply Chain Management experience (demand planning, logistics) in multinational, preferably with in cosmetic/lifestyle industry.
• Strong vision and a strategic mindset, with a hands-on approach in line with the UK team needs, should be able to independently extract data from the systems and analyze them.
• Proactive in finding solutions when facing logistics issues / challenges.
• IT and systems experience. Particularly SAP, WMS, MRP.
• Excellent fact-gathering and analytical skills, including business process mapping (process-oriented mindset) and quantitative analysis.
• Strong leadership, business partnering and ability to contribute to the strategic decision and still being hands on are key qualities.
• A collaborative team player with all cross functional teams & external stakeholders with an ability to inspire others.

In return, La Prairie/ Chantecaille offers:

• A competitive salary and discretionary bonus scheme.
• 33 holiday days (including bank holidays).
• Generous product allocation & discount.
• Long Service Awards starting with 3 years' service.
• Contributory pension scheme - 8% employer contribution.
• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally.
• 24/7 Access to Employee Assistance Programme called Lyrahealth.
• Annual performance reviews so you know your career is going in the right direction.