Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations across multiple sites and drive scalable processes in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Fast-growing fulfilment and logistics business with a startup mindset.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, high autonomy, and direct impact on international expansion.
- Why this job: Join at a pivotal growth stage and shape the future of operations.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in logistics operations and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Clear pathway to senior leadership roles and a culture that rewards initiative.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Bury St Edmunds (on-site)
Salary: £50,000 – £80,000 (dependent on experience)
Start: ASAP
The Opportunity
We’re supporting a fast-growing fulfilment and logistics business operating across three UK sites, with a fourth launching in the US. Built with a true startup mindset, the business has scaled rapidly with a lean team, developing its own internal systems and tools along the way. Now entering its next phase of growth, they are looking to bring in an Operations Director to introduce structure, leadership, and scalability across the business. This is a high-impact role with a clear pathway to company leadership, as the founders focus on international expansion.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership position where you will take ownership of operations across multiple sites, bringing clarity, structure, and scalability to a fast-paced environment. You will sit at the core of the business, acting as the operational backbone and a key decision-maker.
- Lead day-to-day operations across UK fulfilment sites
- Manage and develop cross-functional teams (warehouse, customer support, tech, and finance)
- Introduce scalable processes, KPIs, and operational structure
- Improve communication flows to reduce delays and inefficiencies
- Oversee forecasting, stock planning, and order volume management
- Work closely with internal tech teams to optimise WMS and internal tools
- Support international expansion (US launch and EU growth plans)
- Act as a senior leader bridging strategy and execution
What They’re Looking For
This role requires someone who can hit the ground running in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.
- Essential:
- Proven experience in 3PL / fulfilment / logistics operations
- Strong leadership experience managing multi-functional teams
- Ability to operate in a high-change, fast-paced environment
- Commercial and operational mindset with strong problem-solving ability
- Experience with WMS, logistics systems, and operational analytics
- Comfortable making decisions quickly with limited bureaucracy
- Highly desirable:
- Experience scaling operations in a growing business
- Exposure to automation, robotics, or process optimisation
- Background in building structure within previously unstructured environments
The Environment
This is not a corporate, process-heavy organisation. Ideas can be implemented in days, not months. High autonomy and ownership from day one. Built by people who have learned and adapted quickly. A culture that rewards initiative, speed, and accountability. If you’re coming from a heavily structured environment and want to build something rather than maintain it, this is a rare opportunity.
Career Progression
This role offers a clear pathway to Director-level leadership, with the opportunity to step into a broader company leadership role as the business expands internationally.
Hiring Process
- Initial screening
- Video submission (Loom)
- On-site half-day assessment
Why Join?
- Join at a pivotal growth stage
- Direct impact on business scaling and international expansion
- Work closely with founders and shape the future of operations
- Opportunity to step into a senior leadership position quickly
Director of Operations in Cambridge employer: Parkside Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Parkside Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their operations and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've managed teams and improved processes in previous roles. This is crucial for a hands-on position like Operations Director.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Operations Director role. Highlight your leadership experience in 3PL or logistics, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to scale operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for operations and how your background can help us grow. Be specific about what excites you about our company and the opportunity to shape our future.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in fast-paced environments. We want to see your commercial mindset and how you’ve introduced scalable processes or improved communication flows in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 initiative, which we love!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parkside Recruitment
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of 3PL and fulfilment operations. Brush up on your knowledge of logistics systems, WMS, and operational analytics. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experience will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience managing multi-functional teams. Think of specific instances where you led a team through challenges or implemented scalable processes. This role is all about leadership, so demonstrating your ability to inspire and guide others is key.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Ability
Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex problems in fast-paced environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Highlighting your commercial mindset and quick decision-making skills will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
This company values speed and initiative, so share examples of how you've thrived in high-change environments. Talk about times when you had to pivot quickly or implement new ideas rapidly. Showing that you can adapt and build in unstructured settings will set you apart.