Operations Director (Interim)

Founded in 1977, Planteria has evolved from a small startup into the UK's largest interior landscaping company with an impressive annual turnover of £20 million. We have grown 30% year on year for the last 3 years with a similar trajectory for the next 3-5 years including entry into the US. It is an exciting, fast-paced time to join the leadership team to deliver on the strategic goals, delivering service excellence, and driving profitability.

The opportunity: We are seeking to appoint an experienced / energetic Operations Director (Interim) for a period of 6 months, reporting into our Managing Director and being an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team. Your key focus will be to ensure that key operational teams (in particular Project Installation, Production, Floristry, Christmas Tree installation) maximise efficiency and effectiveness, meeting key performance targets and customer expectations. Also, ensure support functions (procurement, health & safety support, quality assurance and fleet management) are fully effective in their contribution to business efficiency. In addition, we will need your expertise to identify opportunities to streamline and transform the installation process to create capacity and the ability to mobilise multiple complex projects simultaneously across the country.

Requirements:

• Lead or contribute to the design, implementation and embedding of strategic initiatives across the business within key measures (cost, NPS, margin, time) as determined by the Board or Leadership Team.
• Transform Planteria’s Installation Team into a high performing function, able to deliver on diverse customer expectations and meet key performance metrics.
• Lead and develop multiple operational units:

• Weekly fresh flower display production and delivery logistics.
• Christmas tree installations via sub-contractors across the UK.
• Production warehouse – assembly of plant displays ready for installation.
• Procurement – auction buying for fresh produce and managing JIT processes.
• H&S, QMS & sustainability process and audits.
• Fleet management – 100+ vehicles.

Location & Hours: The role is offered on an initial fixed term of 6 months, 3-4 days per week (potentially full-time for the right candidate) based out of our HQ in Henham (CM22 6AA), enjoying a rural location, where lunch is provided onsite daily and ample parking. Ad hoc working from home to be agreed with MD.

What you will need: Applications are welcomed from Operations / Project Leads or a Director with relevant experience, ideally gained from Design & Build fit-out, Facilities Services, Construction industry sectors.

Experience:

• Proven experience of having operated at a senior level (e.g. Divisional Leadership Team) in a fast-paced commercial environment.
• Direct co-accountability for business performance (Circa £50-£100m revenue).
• Experience of having been a programme leader or led a series of complex projects against the achievement of challenging financial and other KPIs.
• Demonstrable experience of managing / leading transformation of a commercial organisation, with evidence of a history of success.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and capacity to achieve results through people.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to ensure effective stakeholder engagement, engaged teams and efficient sub-contractor management.
• Ability to diagnose issues clearly, and through a commercial lens, so as to identify and resolve issues effectively and with agility.
• Highly structured individual able to manage multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies like PRINCE2 or PMP.
• Understands and applies appropriate change management practices to ensure desired change is implemented and embedded.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and demonstrate pragmatism and resourcefulness in overcoming potential challenges.
• Is ready to adapt and change focus according to the needs of the business.
• Has resilience and determination to achieve results.
• Is likely to have a degree in a business-related discipline or have equivalent through experiential learning.

Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with job level and experience.

At Planteria Group we live by our values which include someone who lives the company values: Humble & Confident, Positive & Energetic, One TEAM, Relentless to Improve, Create WOW. If you want to be part of a flourishing business and enjoy being part of an agile, collaborative team then we want to hear from you!

Planteria promotes equality of opportunity for all as part of our inclusive culture.