Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Nottingham Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Y

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale operations, ensuring excellence in production, fulfilment, and quality.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing start-up revolutionising dog food for healthier pets.
  • Benefits: Enjoy extensive healthcare, learning budgets, team events, and casual dress.
  • Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming pet care with real nutrition.
  • Qualifications: Experience in operations leadership within FMCG or D2C environments is essential.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work in a hands-on role with a passionate team.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Join Our Pack. From a bold idea to revolutionising dog food, Years has grown into a fast-scaling business dedicated to helping dogs live longer, healthier lives. In just 3 years, we’ve built a great start-up business, serving thousands of happy customers, all while striving to achieve our mission. Our goal? To give dog owners a better, fresher, and healthier way to feed their pets. We provide human-grade, personalised meals designed to support each dog’s unique needs, delivered straight to their door - no preservatives, no compromises, just real nutrition. You can find our customers across the UK, with future ambitions to scale internationally and continue transforming how people care for their dogs.

Your Mission: We’re looking for a Head of Operations to lead and scale our end-to-end operational functions - from production and warehousing to fulfilment, quality, and supply chain while ensuring we deliver to customers with speed, precision, and care. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role that sits at the heart of Years. You’ll lead a growing team across multiple operational functions, ensuring daily excellence while preparing us to scale. You'll bring structure, rhythm, and data-driven decision-making to a fast-paced, agile environment. You’ll work closely with the leadership team and report to our Leadership team. The right person will blend operational depth with strategic thinking: someone who’s scaled in FMCG or D2C before, and thrives in a business where everyone rolls up their sleeves.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Own and lead the entire Operations function - across Production, Post Cook, Warehouse, Fulfilment, and Quality working alongside Engineering.
  • Drive performance across key KPIs: cost per meal, throughput, quality, and delivery times.
  • Build and develop a strong team of managers and leads, setting clear expectations and fostering accountability.
  • Implement and optimise processes for scale, introducing structure without slowing us down.
  • Lead data-driven continuous improvement across all operational areas.
  • Manage key supplier and third-party relationships (equipment, logistics, service).
  • Collaborate with internal teams to support new product launches and supply planning.
  • Ensure all regulatory, food safety, and compliance standards are met at all times.
  • Prepare the business for future expansion, including site capacity planning and automation opportunities.
  • Champion a high-performance, inclusive culture across the operations team.

What You’ll Bring:

  • Proven experience in an Operations leadership role within an FMCG, manufacturing, or D2C business.
  • Experience scaling an operational function in a fast-growth or startup environment.
  • Strong understanding of production lines, fulfilment models, inventory, and cost management.
  • Confident leading multi-disciplinary teams - from line leaders to engineering and planning.
  • A hands-on approach - you’re just as comfortable on the floor as you are in a strategy session.
  • Excellent commercial awareness and decision-making backed by data.
  • Deep experience working with KPIs and performance metrics - and acting on them.
  • Familiarity with compliance, food safety (HACCP), and quality assurance.
  • A calm, clear communicator who can inspire, challenge, and lead from the front.

What’s In It For You?

  • Extensive health care cover including full cancer coverage and a choice of hospitals or consultants (AXA top package).
  • Annual £250.00 Learning & Development budget for courses, books, or other self-learn activities.
  • Annual £100.00 Wellbeing budget.
  • Monthly recognition through our Yappa of The Month programme.
  • 1 Volunteer day per year – dog-themed or not: it’s your choice!
  • Subsidised employee groups – from five-a-side to padel, there’s loads to get involved in or the chance to start up your own group.
  • Quarterly subsidised team events from axe throwing, crazy golf to cocktail making.
  • Exclusive discounts on Years and Years treats for yourself and friends/family.
  • Lunch & Learn programme – from dog first aid to financial savviness, we’ve got sessions planned to cover all kinds of topics.
  • Casual dress.
  • Your birthday off or a different day if it falls on a non-working day.
  • Ability to sell any unused holiday back to Years at the end of the Holiday Year (maximum 1 working week).

Head of Operations employer: Years.com

At Years, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions inclusivity and collaboration. As the Head of Operations, you'll not only lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment but also benefit from extensive healthcare coverage, generous learning and wellbeing budgets, and unique team-building events that foster camaraderie. With a commitment to employee growth and a mission that resonates with dog lovers across the UK, joining us means being part of a meaningful journey towards transforming pet nutrition.
Y

Contact Detail:

Years.com Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Operations

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and values. Understanding how they aim to revolutionise dog food will help you align your experience and vision with theirs during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've scaled operations in previous roles. Highlight your hands-on approach and how it contributed to performance improvements, as this is crucial for the Head of Operations position.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the latest trends in FMCG and D2C sectors, especially related to food safety and compliance. Being knowledgeable about these areas will demonstrate your commitment to excellence and readiness to lead.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with professionals in the industry, particularly those who have experience in scaling operations. Engaging with them can provide insights and potentially valuable connections that could support your application.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations

Leadership Skills
Operational Management
FMCG Experience
D2C Experience
Production Line Understanding
Fulfilment Models Knowledge
Inventory Management
Cost Management
Data-Driven Decision Making
KPI Management
Performance Metrics Analysis
Compliance Knowledge (HACCP)
Quality Assurance
Team Development
Communication Skills
Strategic Thinking
Agile Methodologies
Supplier Relationship Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations leadership, particularly within FMCG or D2C environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to scale operations and manage teams effectively.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the pet food industry and how your skills align with the company's mission. Mention your hands-on approach and provide examples of how you've driven performance improvements in previous roles.

Highlight Key Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements such as cost reductions, efficiency improvements, or successful team leadership. Use metrics to showcase your impact on operational performance.

Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your leadership style and how you foster a high-performance culture. Include examples of how you've built and developed teams, set clear expectations, and encouraged accountability among team members.

How to prepare for a job interview at Years.com

✨Understand the Company Mission

Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp the company's mission to revolutionise dog food. Familiarise yourself with their products and how they aim to provide healthier options for dogs. This will show your genuine interest in the role and alignment with their values.

✨Demonstrate Operational Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in operations, particularly within FMCG or D2C environments. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully scaled operations, improved processes, or managed teams effectively. Use data to back up your achievements.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

As a Head of Operations, you'll need to lead a diverse team. Be ready to share your leadership style and how you foster accountability and performance within your teams. Discuss how you handle challenges and inspire others to achieve their best.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about potential challenges the company might face as it scales and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and readiness for the role.

Head of Operations
Years.com
Y
  • Head of Operations

    Nottingham
    Full-Time
    43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-18

  • Y

    Years.com

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