Head of Sortation - Nottingham
Head of Sortation - Nottingham

Head of Sortation - Nottingham

Nottingham Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Relay Technologies

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a high-tech sortation operation and ensure parcels move on time, every time.
  • Company: Join Relay, a fast-growing logistics startup backed by top investors.
  • Benefits: Generous equity, private health coverage, 25 days holiday, and extensive perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with a focus on innovation.
  • Qualifications: Experience in high-reliability operations and strong people management skills.
  • Other info: Work in a vibrant culture that values growth, feedback, and teamwork.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

About Relay

Relay is fundamentally reshaping how goods move in an online era. Backed by Europe's largest-ever logistics Series A ($35M), led by deep-tech investors Plural, Relay is scaling faster than 99.98% of venture-backed startups. We're assembling the most talent-dense team the logistics industry has ever seen. Relay's Mission is to free commerce from friction. Today, high delivery costs act as a hidden tax on e-commerce, quietly shaping what can be sold online and limiting who can participate. We envision a world where more goods move more freely between more people, making the online shopping experience seamless and accessible to everyone.

Team and Culture

  • 45+ advanced degrees across computer science, mathematics and operations research
  • Thousands of data points captured, calculated, analysed and predicted for every single parcel we handle
  • An intellectually vibrant culture of first-principles thinking, tight feedback loops and relentless experimentation

This is not a legacy logistics job. You won't inherit a manual warehouse or repeat what's been done before. You'll lead a high-reliability, technology-enabled sortation operation where on-the-floor execution, discipline, and real-time decision-making determine success. As the Head of Sortation at our Nottingham Sort Centre, you'll own performance, safety, people, and flow every shift. This is a hands-on operational leadership role where calmness under pressure, disciplined execution, and evidence-based problem solving define success. You will directly manage 4 Shift Managers and work closely with central teams focused on Workforce Management and Training & Education to ensure the site runs safely, efficiently, and on time. This role is perfect for operators from aviation, rail, manufacturing, or other high-reliability environments who excel in fast-paced, 24/7 operations.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Daily Operations: Own the sortation floor with a visible, on-the-ground leadership presence.
  • Deliver On-Time Success: Maintain stable flow, protect throughput, and ensure parcels move on time, every time.
  • Manage and Develop People: Lead Shift Managers and their teams with clarity, feedback, and accountability.
  • Run a 24/7 Operation: Oversee night-shift and round-the-clock operations with discipline and precision.
  • Solve Problems with Data: Make calm, real-time decisions using evidence, not instinct.
  • Enforce Standards: Drive operational discipline, safety compliance, and repeatable processes.
  • Coordinate with Central Teams: Partner with Workforce Management and Training to forecast labour, maintain competence, and lift capability.
  • Maintain Site Readiness: Ensure equipment uptime, consumables availability, and operational continuity.

Qualifications

  • Disciplined operator with deep experience running high-reliability, high-tempo environments
  • Calm under pressure and able to make fast, data-driven decisions
  • Strong people manager who develops leaders and holds teams accountable
  • Execution-first mindset with a focus on repeatability, structure, and on-time delivery
  • Experience managing a 24/7 operation, including night shifts
  • Clear communicator who gives direct, respectful feedback
  • Real-time problem solver who manages flow, labour, and queues dynamically
  • Culture builder who maintains a safe, high-trust, high-expectation environment
  • Practical thinker who values simplicity and operational clarity
  • You have worked in a startup or can prove that you have worked in an environment with hyper growth and constant change
  • You understand and can demonstrate the pressures of working in a 24x7 operation, where on-time success is the most critical lever

Values

  • Play to Win: You chase bold bets, tackle the hard stuff, and view constraints as fuel, not friction.
  • 1% Better Every Day: You believe that small, consistent improvements lead to exponential growth. You move quickly, deliver results, and learn from every experience.
  • All In, All the Time: You show up and step up. You take ownership from start to finish and do what it takes to deliver when it counts.
  • People-Powered Greatness: You invest in your teammates. You give and receive feedback with care and candour. You build trust through high standards and shared success.
  • Grow the Whole Pie: You seek out win-win solutions for merchants, couriers, and our customers, because when they thrive, so do we.

Compensation, Benefits & Workplace

  • Generous equity, richer than 99% of European startups, with annual top-ups to share Relay's success.
  • Private health & dental coverage, so comprehensive you’d need to be a partner at a Magic Circle law firm to match it.
  • 25 days of holidays
  • Enhanced parental leave.
  • Hardware of your choice.
  • Extensive perks (gym subsidies, cycle-to-work, Friday office lunch, covered Uber home and dinner for late nights, and more).
  • Located in Shoreditch, our office set-up enables the kind of in-person interactions that drive impact. We work 4 days on-site, with 1 day remote.

Relay is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and fostering a workplace where everyone thrives.

Head of Sortation - Nottingham employer: Relay Technologies

Relay is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and intellectually vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and operational excellence. As the Head of Sortation in Nottingham, you will benefit from generous equity options, comprehensive health coverage, and extensive perks, all while leading a talented team in a fast-paced environment that values growth and collaboration. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Relay fosters a workplace where every employee can thrive and contribute to reshaping the logistics industry.
Relay Technologies

Contact Detail:

Relay Technologies Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Sortation - Nottingham

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Relay's mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out in interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Practice makes perfect, so get a friend to do a mock interview with you.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Head of Sortation position.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sortation - Nottingham

Operational Leadership
Data-Driven Decision Making
People Management
High-Reliability Operations
Problem Solving
Communication Skills
Performance Management
Safety Compliance
24/7 Operational Management
Execution Discipline
Feedback and Accountability
Adaptability to Change
Process Improvement
Team Coordination

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about reshaping logistics and making e-commerce smoother for everyone.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in high-reliability environments. We’re looking for operators who can handle pressure and make data-driven decisions, so connect your past roles to what we do at Relay.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Head of Sortation role. Remember, less is often more!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Relay.

How to prepare for a job interview at Relay Technologies

✨Know the Company Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into Relay's mission and values. Understand how they aim to reshape logistics and what their unique challenges are. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you align your answers with their goals.

✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style

As a potential Head of Sortation, it's crucial to showcase your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to give clear feedback and develop others, as this is key to their culture.

✨Be Data-Driven in Your Responses

Relay values evidence-based problem solving. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make decisions in past roles. Bring specific examples where your analytical skills led to improved operations or efficiency.

✨Showcase Your Adaptability

Given Relay's fast-paced environment, demonstrate your ability to adapt to change. Share experiences where you've thrived in dynamic settings, especially in 24/7 operations. This will reassure them that you can handle the pressures of their high-tempo work culture.

Head of Sortation - Nottingham
Relay Technologies
Location: Nottingham
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