At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational readiness for a new Transport Management System across UK depots.
- Company: Join the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonuses, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring smooth transitions and optimising transport operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational leadership and deep knowledge of Transport Management Systems required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 € per year.
£55,000 to £60,000 per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, bonus and benefits. 2 year fixed term contract. Must have the ability to travel across all UK depots.
Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,400 customers from 33 distribution centres across the country. As our Operations Readiness Lead, you’ll make sure our planners, depot teams, and delivery drivers are fully prepared to hit the ground running from day one of our new Transport Management System (TMS) go‑live. You’ll be the vital link between the project team and our operational network — turning agreed system designs into practical, real‑world ways of working. From testing and training to go‑live support and adoption, you’ll lead the transition that ensures the operation is confident, capable, and performing from day one.
In addition to leading readiness and adoption, you will bring deep knowledge of TMS design and best practice, ensuring the system is not only implemented effectively but also used intelligently to unlock operational and commercial value.
About the role
- Lead operational readiness planning across all depots and delivery functions, ensuring the business is fully prepared for TMS cutover.
- Drive testing and validation activities — including User Acceptance Testing (UAT), route‑planning checks, and “day‑in‑the‑life” simulations.
- Apply expert knowledge of TMS capabilities and transport best practice to advise on how system features, data, and analytics can be used to enhance operational efficiency and decision‑making.
- Act as a functional consultant within the programme, helping to define how the business should use the TMS — not just how to implement it — to achieve measurable benefits and continuous improvement.
- Translate agreed system designs into clear operational processes, ensuring they are well‑understood, documented, and trainable.
- Ensure any current operational processes and data flows are standardised and sustainable.
- Oversee workforce training and process adoption, ensuring all frontline users are confident and competent before go‑live.
- Act as the operational lead during go‑live and hyper‑care, coordinating issue triage, communication, and rapid resolution.
- Work closely with the Project Manager to align milestones, readiness checkpoints, and risk mitigations.
- Partner with depot and planning leadership to embed new ways of working and identify early opportunities for process improvement.
- Monitor post‑implementation performance, capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement across teams.
- Provide clear updates to governance forums on readiness, progress, and post‑go‑live stabilisation.
- Foster strong engagement across all stakeholder groups, acting as the operational voice of change within the programme.
What we can offer you
- £5,688 per annum car allowance
- Company bonus
- Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
- 24/7 E‑Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
- Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan
- Private medical insurance
About you
- Proven operational leadership background within transport, logistics, or final‑mile delivery.
- Experience leading operational change or system implementation within a live logistics environment.
- Deep understanding of Transport Management Systems and their application in optimising transport operations, data use, and reporting through analytical insights.
- Ability to translate TMS capability into practical operational benefits — advising teams on what “good” looks like and how to achieve it.
- Hands‑on approach to training, problem‑solving, and performance improvement.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Confidence operating in project‑based delivery environments.
- Ability to travel across the UK to support depot readiness and go‑live activities.
- Project or change management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, Lean, or equivalent).
- Experience in coordinating large‑scale operational rollouts or training programmes.
Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let’s see if we can rely on you, too. Apply now.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Contract
Job function: Project Management, Training, and Other | Industries: Wholesale
Operational Readiness Lead – TMS Implementation in England employer: Smiths News plc
As the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment where every team member plays a crucial role in our success. With competitive benefits including a generous car allowance, health cash plan, and extensive training opportunities, we are committed to your professional growth and well-being. Join us in a role that not only challenges you but also allows you to make a tangible impact across our nationwide operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Readiness Lead – TMS Implementation in England
✨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 Transport Management System (TMS) and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their operational needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on showcasing your operational leadership skills and how you can drive change effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our success.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Readiness Lead – TMS Implementation in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Operational Readiness Lead. Highlight your experience in transport management systems and operational leadership, showing us how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our needs. Be specific about your experience with TMS and operational change.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; show us what you’ve achieved! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've improved processes or led successful implementations in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths News plc
✨Know Your TMS Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Transport Management Systems and their practical applications. Be ready to discuss how you've used TMS in previous roles to optimise operations and drive efficiency. This will show that you can translate technical capabilities into real-world benefits.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare examples from your past where you've led operational change or system implementations. Highlight your hands-on approach to training and problem-solving, as well as how you’ve engaged stakeholders during transitions. This will help illustrate your capability as an Operational Readiness Lead.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising with various teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can convey complex ideas simply, especially when discussing operational processes and training methods. Good communication is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like a go-live issue or a training challenge. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios and your responses. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and readiness to tackle real-world challenges in the role.
