At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise shift operations in a fast-paced logistics environment.
- Company: Join Relay, a rapidly scaling logistics startup backed by top investors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team focused on reshaping online commerce.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on e-commerce by improving delivery efficiency.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience managing large teams in dynamic settings.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 ROLE
Top‑of‑market salary, with above market equity in one of Europe’s top Series A startups. This role is the pathway to becoming a General Manager of your own Hybrid Sort Centre with up to 1 Million parcels a day capacity. You will own an entire shift at one of our fulfilment sites; the people, the throughput, the quality, and the continuous improvement of all three. You’ll lead 50–100+ operatives through high‑volume, time‑pressured operations where minutes matter and small deviations cascade quickly into missed deadlines and customer impact.
What You Will Do
- Run shift operations end‑to‑end: people deployment, throughput targets, quality standards, and health including onboarding, coaching, and managing performance
- Use dashboards and KPIs to identify problems early, make decisions quickly, and track whether the changes you make are actually working
- Build and improve SOPs, controls, and feedback loops that keep your shift running safely and efficiently
- Own the end‑of‑shift handover; what happened, what’s at risk, what the next shift needs to know
- Collaborate across shifts with engineering, data, and ops leadership to solve problems that cross boundaries
- Stay calm and decisive during peak periods, outages, and labour gaps - triaging, containing impact, and restoring flow
Who You Are
- Proven leadership of large teams (50+) of front line workers in fast‑paced, physical operations — logistics, distribution, manufacturing, transport, military, or similar environments where on‑time delivery and compliance are non‑negotiable
- Reasoning ability — you think through problems methodically rather than relying on “how we’ve always done it.”
- Resilience — when things break, you get calmer and more structured, not flustered.
- Metrics obsessed — you need to be able to look at a metric and decide what to do about it.
- Clear, direct communication — you can brief a team of 80 operatives at shift start and then present a problem to senior leadership in the same day.
- Ownership mindset - you want to help build something meaningful, not just complete a shift and move on.
Backgrounds That Translate Well
We’ve seen great Operations Managers come from: Logistics.
Operations Manager - Birmingham Sort Centre employer: relaytech.co
Contact Detail:
relaytech.co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - Birmingham Sort Centre
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the logistics and operations field on LinkedIn or at industry events. 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 practising common questions related to leadership and problem-solving. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Operations Manager. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your metrics obsession! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ownership mindset, which are key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to reshape logistics.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - Birmingham Sort Centre
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading large teams. We want to see how you've managed people in fast-paced environments, so share specific examples that showcase your leadership style and decision-making skills.
Be Metrics-Driven: Relay thrives on data, so don’t shy away from mentioning your experience with KPIs and metrics. We’re looking for candidates who can analyse data and make informed decisions, so include any relevant examples of how you’ve used metrics to improve operations.
Communicate Clearly: Your written application should reflect your ability to communicate effectively. Use clear and direct language, and structure your thoughts logically. Remember, you’ll need to brief a team and present to senior leadership, so show us you can do this in your application!
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 the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Relay and our mission!
How to prepare for a job interview at relaytech.co
✨Know Your Numbers
Familiarise yourself with key metrics and KPIs relevant to operations management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles, as this will show your metrics obsession and ability to act on them.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership skills, especially in managing large teams under pressure. Relay your experiences in fast-paced environments, highlighting how you maintained calm and structure during operational crises.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Research Relay's mission to free commerce from friction and think about how your experience aligns with this goal. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to making the online shopping experience seamless and accessible.
✨Practice Clear Communication
Since clear communication is crucial for this role, practice summarising complex ideas simply. Think of how you would brief a team of operatives and present to senior leadership, ensuring you can switch between different communication styles effortlessly.