Graduate Operations Lead in London

Graduate Operations Lead in London

London Entry level 28000 - 35000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
TargetJobs UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage daily reverse logistics and build a sustainable Buyback programme.
  • Company: Swoon, a design-led brand focused on innovative home trends.
  • Benefits: Birthday off, holiday increases, discounts, health insurance, and profit-sharing.
  • Other info: Work remotely and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Join a mission to create a circular economy in home furnishings.
  • Qualifications: Recent STEM graduate with strong analytical and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 ÂŁ per year.

Who You Are

  • Academic Foundation: Recent graduate in STEM or analytical-based discipline
  • Analytical Agility: Comfortable with data‑driven decision‑making; able to ask the right questions of Merchandising and Marketing data
  • Embracing AI: A high level of comfort adopting AI tools to automate workflows and maximise output across a lean team
  • Operational Drive: Advanced organizational skills with the ability to manage high volumes of daily tasks
  • Communication: Strong verbal and written skills for holding 3PL partners accountable during weekly reviews

Applicants must be UK‑based and eligible to work in the UK.

What The Job Involves

Swoon is an original, design‑led brand utilising an innovative NPD process to discover the next home trends. As we continue to scale, we are evolving our "test‑and‑repeat" model to include a fully circular product lifecycle. We are seeking a technical, data‑native graduate to manage our daily reverse logistics operations while simultaneously building the infrastructure for our 2026 Buyback Program. This dual‑impact role owns our returns ecosystem while architecting our new Buyback initiative.

You will manage the high‑stakes journey of recovering heavy, high‑value, and often unpackaged items, ensuring they reach our refurbishment centre undamaged. You are responsible for overseeing our returns partners, ensuring the most economical restoration, rigorous QC, and re‑packaging to ensure every graded item is ready for profitable resale with total customer transparency. Beyond recovery, you will leverage this infrastructure to launch a circular Buyback programme, allowing customers to trade legacy Swoon pieces for store credit. By building this resale ecosystem on our website, you will turn complex reverse logistics into a sustainable profit centre that keeps the balance sheet lean and fuels long‑term "home obsession".

Operational Reverse Logistics

  • Returns Processing: Manage the end‑to‑end "Swoon Approved" (BTS) process, including stock checks, SKU creation, and inventory receipts
  • Claims & Cash Recovery: Lead the submission and follow‑up of logistics claims and manage recovery channels to clear slow‑moving lines, keeping the balance sheet lean
  • Partner Liaison: Act as the main point of contact for refurbishment and retail partners (e.g., John Lewis, Next) to ensure smooth stock flow and coordinate collections
  • Stock Reconciliation: Perform regular audits of returned stock to maintain inventory accuracy and manage intake flow
  • Performance Analysis: Conduct "Cause of Failure" reviews to identify return trends and provide feedback to the UK Operations team to ensure products are shippable without damage

Innovation & Buyback Build

  • Project Lead for "BUYBACK": Serve as the operational lead for the 2026 buyback test, enabling customers to sell items back to us for refurbishment and sale
  • AI‑Driven Automation: Leverage leading‑edge AI tools to maximise the quality and speed of returns processing and stock grading
  • Quality Control Logic: Refine the grading standards (Not Perfect/Almost Perfect) to ensure refurbishment standards are consistently met through data‑driven checks
  • Sustainability Roadmap: Help lead the charge on Swoon's circularity goals, ensuring sustainability becomes a core selling point of our range

Benefits

  • Additional day off on your birthday
  • Holiday allowance increases with tenure
  • Discount on Swoon furniture, and for your family and friends too
  • Work from home opportunities
  • Health insurance
  • Share options
  • Profit‑share bonus
  • Wellbeing allowance
  • Private medical cover
  • Volunteer day off
  • Pension scheme
  • Free furniture

Graduate Operations Lead in London employer: TargetJobs UK

Swoon is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability, making it an ideal place for recent graduates to kickstart their careers. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer a range of benefits including additional holiday allowances, health insurance, and opportunities for remote work, all within a collaborative and dynamic work culture. Join us in shaping the future of home design while enjoying unique perks like discounts on our stylish furniture and a profit-share bonus that rewards your contributions.
TargetJobs UK

Contact Detail:

TargetJobs UK Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Graduate Operations Lead in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to alumni from your university or connections in the industry. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Get your LinkedIn game on point! Make sure your profile is up-to-date and reflects your skills in data analysis and operational management. Engage with posts related to reverse logistics and sustainability to show your interest.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions, especially around data-driven decision-making and operational challenges. Use the STAR method to structure your answers and highlight your analytical agility.

✨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 the Swoon team.

We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Operations Lead in London

Analytical Agility
Data-Driven Decision-Making
AI Tool Adoption
Organisational Skills
Verbal Communication Skills
Written Communication Skills
Reverse Logistics Management
Inventory Management
Claims Management
Partner Liaison
Performance Analysis
Project Management
Quality Control
Sustainability Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Make sure to highlight your analytical agility in your application. We want to see how comfortable you are with data-driven decision-making, so share examples of how you've used data in your studies or previous roles.

Embrace AI in Your Application: Since we're all about embracing AI, mention any experience you have with AI tools. Whether it's automating workflows or enhancing productivity, let us know how you've leveraged technology to make things easier.

Communicate Clearly: Strong communication skills are key for this role. When writing your application, be clear and concise. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas, and don’t forget to proofread for any errors!

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 Graduate Operations Lead position. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at TargetJobs UK

✨Know Your Data

Since the role involves a lot of data-driven decision-making, brush up on your analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data in past projects or studies, and think about the types of questions you might ask regarding merchandising and marketing data.

✨Embrace AI Tools

Familiarise yourself with AI tools that can automate workflows. During the interview, share examples of how you've used technology to streamline processes or improve efficiency. This will show your comfort level with adopting new tools, which is crucial for this role.

✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills

The job requires advanced organisational skills, so come ready with examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Discuss any systems or methods you use to stay organised, especially in high-pressure situations.

✨Communicate Effectively

Strong verbal and written communication skills are key for liaising with partners. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your engagement and communication prowess.

Graduate Operations Lead in London
TargetJobs UK
Location: London

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