At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations across 200 stores, driving sales performance and ensuring operational excellence.
- Company: VPZ, the UK's leading vape retailer with a dynamic e-commerce platform.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and excellence in retail.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced retail environment while shaping the future of the business.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in multi-site retail operations and strong HR knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
About us
VPZ is the UK’s leading vape retailer, operating 200 stores nationwide alongside a rapidly growing ecommerce platform.
As the business continues to scale, we are seeking an experienced Operations Director.
This is a broad, commercially focused role with accountability that extends beyond traditional retail leadership, covering the full operational engine of the business.
We are looking for a commercially astute Operations Director to lead the execution of our operational strategy and drive performance across the estate.
The role requires a leader who will be closely connected to the operation, comfortable making tough decisions, and experienced in delivering results within fast-moving, multi-site retail businesses.
As VPZ continues to grow, the business requires greater consistency, pace and performance discipline across the estate.
This role exists to strengthen operational execution, sharpen accountability and ensure the organisation is set up to scale profitably.
The Role, What You’ll Actually Do
You will have end to end responsibility for Retail Operations, Marketing Operations, Property and HR, with a clear focus on sales performance, execution quality and operational discipline.
- Retail & Sales Performance
- Own retail performance across 200 stores including revenue, conversion, ATV, UPT and like for like growth.
- Get into the detail to understand what is happening on the shop floor and fix what is not working.
- Lead and challenge the Area Sales Manager structure, building accountability, capability and bench strength.
- Set and enforce customer experience standards across the estate.
- Use data, insight and judgement to identify opportunities, manage risk and drive growth.
- Work closely with Buying and Marketing to maximise range, availability, footfall and in store execution.
- Marketing Operations
- Ensure marketing campaigns are delivered on time, in store and fully compliant.
- Oversee POS, signage and promotional execution across the estate.
- Control marketing operations budgets and supplier relationships, ensuring value for money and consistency.
- Property
- Own the retail estate including leases, renewals, rent reviews and landlord relationships.
- Lead new store openings end to end from site selection through to fit out.
- Ensure stores and offices are safe, compliant, well maintained and fit for purpose.
- Human Resources
- Provide hands on leadership of HR with direct ownership of complex employee relations matters.
- Personally handle disciplinary, grievance, redundancy and tribunal cases as required.
- Ensure full compliance with UK employment law.
- Drive recruitment, workforce planning and capability building at scale.
- Shape culture, engagement and performance across a workforce of 600+.
- What Success Looks Like
- Improved like for like sales and margin delivery across the estate.
- A strong, consistent field leadership structure with clear accountability and performance rhythm.
- Clear operational control of stock, labour and cost.
- A capable leadership team with depth, succession and high standards.
- You’ll Bring
- Proven experience as an Operations Director or equivalent in a large multi-site retail business with 100+ stores.
- A track record of driving sales performance and P&L outcomes, not just managing processes.
- Strong, practical HR knowledge with experience handling complex employee relations.
- Solid property experience covering leases, negotiations and estate strategy.
- Confidence leading large, layered teams and holding people to account.
- You’ll Be
- Commercial to your core with a strong focus on numbers, margins and results.
- Comfortable being hands on, visible and decisive.
- Calm under pressure and prepared to make difficult calls.
- Data led but pragmatic with insight driving action.
- Credible at Board level while remaining effective and respected across the operation.
Applicants must be 18 years old or above, any subsequent job offer is subject to pre-employment screening and right to work checks
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Operations Director in Newbridge employer: VPZ
VPZ is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the rapidly growing vaping industry. Located in Coatbridge, we provide our Retail Sales Specialists with comprehensive training, generous discounts on products, and numerous opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to employee development and a supportive team culture makes VPZ a fantastic place to build a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Newbridge
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like VPZ, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like VPZ!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Newbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at VPZ, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at VPZ and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show VPZ that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at VPZ
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
