At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced logistics environment, ensuring smooth operations and high performance.
- Company: Join Relay, a rapidly growing logistics startup backed by major investors.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and a vibrant team culture.
- Other info: Fast hiring process with opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in reshaping e-commerce logistics while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing operations or teams; strong communication and problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Relay is fundamentally reshaping how goods move in an online era. Backed by Europe’s largest-ever logistics Series A ($35M), Relay is scaling faster than 99.98% of venture-backed startups. We envision a world where more goods move more freely between more people, making the online shopping experience seamless and accessible to everyone.
THE TEAM
- ~110 people, more than half in engineering, product and data
- 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
The Opportunity
You will report to the Site Manager/Head of Site and will run shifts at one of our Hybrid Sort Centres (HSCs), leading 50–100+ operatives through high-volume, time-pressured sortation where minutes matter and small deviations cascade into missed deadlines. Each of our HSCs handle over 40 million parcels annually, with our largest site measuring more than 300,000 sq ft. You will also be accountable for whether the site is measurably better in a month than it is today for each of our key metrics. You are on the floor for your shift, every shift. This is not a project role with occasional site visits and it is not a desk job; the forward work happens along with running the operation.
Who will thrive in this role
- Deliver shift plan end to end: people deployment, throughput, quality standards, and health & safety compliance
- Lead, develop, and performance-manage a frontline team of 50–100+ operatives
- Build the mechanisms that hold the operation together: controls, cadences, metrics, SOPs, change management and own their adoption
- Plan ahead for future shifts; labour, training, and the risks you can see coming before they land
- Own the end-of-shift handover; what happened, what is at risk, what the next shift needs to know
- Stay decisive through volume peaks, outages, and labour gaps. Triage, solve the problem at hand quickly, contain the impact, restore flow
- Present and write clearly whether briefs, escalations, handovers or post-incident reviews
- Implement changes into a live operation such as introducing robotics, launching new sortation tech or onboarding new clients
Who you are
- Scaled something from zero: a site, a market, a process or a program
- Managed a physical operation: quick commerce, grocery, e-commerce fulfillment, last mile, 3PL, food production, airport ground handling, rail
- Communicate in both directions and have strong people management skills
- Built a mechanism that held: a control, a cadence, a metric, a document standard
- Own numbers rather than report them
- Understand frontline work
You do not need to have worked in parcels, fulfilment, or sortation. Several of our most talented people had not.
Backgrounds that translate well
- Program Manager in a logistics or e-commerce business
- Operations Excellence and Continuous Improvement
- Strategy & Operations Transformation manager
- Launch and Expansion Manager
- Regional operations manager
Hiring process
- Initial screen (15 min)
- Hiring Manager conversation (90 min) - 45 min onsite interview immediately followed by a 45 min site tour where you shadow an existing shift manager
- Final interview (45 min)
- Decision and offer within 48 hours
Who Thrives at Relay?
- Aim with Precision: You define problems clearly and measure your impact meticulously
- 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
- All In, All the Time: You show up and step up
- People-Powered Greatness: You invest in your teammates
- Grow the Whole Pie: You seek out win‑win solutions for merchants, couriers, and our customers
If these resonate, and you combine strong technical fundamentals with entrepreneurial drive, let’s connect. Relay is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and fostering a workplace where everyone thrives.
Operations Manager - London Sort Centre in Tipton employer: Relay Technologies
Relay is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on innovation and collaboration in the heart of Shoreditch. With generous equity options, comprehensive health benefits, and a commitment to employee growth through hands-on experience and mentorship, Relay empowers its team to tackle complex challenges in logistics while enjoying extensive perks and a supportive environment. Join us to be part of a mission-driven company that values your contributions and fosters a sense of ownership and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - London Sort Centre in Tipton
✨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 Relay Technologies 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 Relay Technologies!
✨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 Relay Technologies 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 Operations Manager - London Sort Centre in Tipton
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 Relay Technologies:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Relay Technologies. 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 Relay Technologies
✨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 Relay Technologies.
✨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 Relay Technologies 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 Relay Technologies. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
