At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform large-scale field service teams in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Europe’s largest provider of unattended retail and digital vending solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, executive-level influence, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join an innovative team with a focus on performance and compliance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of automated retail while driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing dispersed field operations and leading digital transformations.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Hemel Hempstead (Hybrid / Field-based / Regular Travel)
Position Type: Permanent, Executive Committee (ExCo)
Reporting To: Managing Director, UK & Ireland
The Opportunity
Are you an inspirational operational leader with a track record of running large-scale, geographically dispersed field service teams? My client is Europe’s largest provider of unattended self-serve convenience retail and digital vending solutions, serving millions of consumers daily across 16 countries. In the UK, they operate a sophisticated 24/7 food, drink, and technology network trusted by over 3,500 corporate, education, healthcare, and high-traffic clients. The UK business is undergoing a major commercial transformation into a highly automated, data-led, unattended retail platform. You will sit directly on the Executive Committee and own the end-to-end strategy, execution, and profitability of the national service and technical field operations.
Your Mandate: Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership & Service Strategy
- Field & Technical Operations: Lead a large, multi-site national field service workforce across all unattended retail, micro-market, and automated solution platforms.
- Performance Cadence: Embed a high-performance, accountable culture driven by clear daily, weekly, and monthly execution metrics.
- Compliance & Safety: Maintain absolute operational compliance across all health and safety legislation, food safety standards, and Operator Licence (O Licence) fleet regulations.
- Technology & Field Service Transformation
- Tech-Led Execution: Accelerate the transition toward a predictive, data-driven service model by leveraging telemetry, real-time dashboards, and remote diagnostics.
- Efficiency & Logistics: Optimise national field scheduling, routing, and fleet utilisation to improve service density and lower the cost-per-service call.
- Continuous Improvement: Standardise technical processes and engineer training to maximise machine uptime, availability, and first-time fix rates.
- Financial Management & Commercial Growth
- P&L & Budget Ownership: Direct accountability for major operational budgets covering Fleet, FTE, and inventory controls to drive EBITDA growth.
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with the Procurement & Supply Chain Director and Finance teams to eliminate operational waste, reduce stock loss, and lower the cost-to-serve.
- Client Retention & SLAs: Secure high-value account retention by ensuring flawless contractual SLA compliance and robust service recovery plans.
What You Bring
We are looking for a visible, hands-on executive leader who balances strategic transformation with rigorous, day-to-day execution discipline.
Experience & Qualifications:
- Executive Field Operations Leadership: A proven track record of managing massive, geographically dispersed field service, engineering, or route-based logistics workforces.
- Sector Expertise: Background in automated retail, vending, FMCG, food service, multi-site retail, or scale facilities management.
- Transformation & Tech Credentials: Experience leading digital transformation programmes, particularly embedding automated planning tools, telemetry, or predictive maintenance systems.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong financial experience managing large operational budgets with a direct understanding of how field efficiency influences P&L outcomes.
- Fast-Paced Environments: Experience operating within matrix structures or performance-driven, PE-backed corporate environments is highly desirable.
Key Performance Indicators
Performance in this pivotal executive role will be measured against a balanced scorecard:
- Service Excellence: Machine uptime %, SLA compliance %, and first-time fix rates.
- Productivity & Efficiency: Route productivity, engineer utilisation, and reduced cost-to-serve.
- Financial Impact: Operational EBITDA contribution, strict budget execution, and year-on-year gross margin improvement.
- Compliance: Zero-harm health and safety metrics, O Licence compliance, and outstanding audit pass rates.
If you are a performance-driven leader looking for the autonomy to shape a business's commercial future, I’d love to hear from you.
Director of Field Service & Logistics in Watford employer: Morgan McKinley
As Europe's largest provider of unattended self-serve convenience retail and digital vending solutions, our company offers an inspiring work environment for the Director of Field Service & Logistics role. Located in Hemel Hempstead, we foster a culture of innovation and accountability, providing employees with opportunities for professional growth through strategic leadership and technology-driven transformation. With a commitment to operational excellence and employee well-being, we ensure that our team members are equipped to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced setting while contributing to meaningful change in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Field Service & Logistics in Watford
✨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 Morgan McKinley 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 Morgan McKinley!
✨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 Morgan McKinley 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 Director of Field Service & Logistics in Watford
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 Morgan McKinley:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Morgan McKinley. 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 Morgan McKinley
✨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 Morgan McKinley.
✨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 Morgan McKinley 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 Morgan McKinley. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
