At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape last mile and delivery strategy while driving high-impact initiatives.
- Company: Join Zapp, a pioneering on-demand retail company redefining delivery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, private health insurance, and generous leave.
- Other info: Opportunity to explore ambitious ideas and make a real impact.
- Why this job: Work directly with the Founder and gain entrepreneurial experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in last mile operations with strong leadership and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 121500 - 148500 £ per year.
Location: Nine Elms, London
Working Pattern: Full-time, on-site
About Zapp
Zapp is on a mission to redefine on-demand retail. We deliver everyday essentials to customers' doors in minutes, combining technology, operational excellence, and an uncompromising focus on customer experience.
We're building a business where speed, reliability, and quality go hand in hand — and our Founder’s Office is at the heart of making that happen.
The Role
We're looking for an exceptional Director, Founder's Office (Last Mile & Delivery) to work directly with our Founder on shaping the future of one of the most critical areas of our business. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced last mile and delivery operations leader who wants to take the next step in their career, explore their entrepreneurial ambitions, and gain first-hand experience working alongside a Founder to build and scale a high-growth business.
You'll operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, technology, and commercial performance, working closely with the Founder to identify opportunities, challenge conventional thinking, and drive high-impact initiatives across our delivery ecosystem.
From rethinking our delivery operating model and partner strategy to unlocking step-change improvements in end-to-end delivery speed, customer experience, and unit economics, you'll have the autonomy to tackle complex business challenges and turn ambitious ideas into measurable results.
This is not a traditional functional leadership role. We're looking for someone with deep, hands-on experience in last mile and delivery operations who is ready to broaden their perspective, think like an entrepreneur, and learn directly from the Founder while making a meaningful impact on the business.
What You'll Do
- Shape Last Mile & Delivery Strategy
- Work directly with the Founder to define and drive strategic priorities across last mile and delivery operations.
- Evaluate and challenge existing operating models, identifying opportunities to transform delivery speed, reliability, scalability, and unit economics.
- Develop strategies for delivery partnerships, rider operations, capacity planning, and long-term operational efficiency.
- Identify new technologies, business models, and innovations that could strengthen Zapp's competitive advantage.
- Lead High-Impact Strategic Initiatives
- Take ownership of complex, business-critical projects from strategic thinking through to execution and measurable impact.
- Drive improvements in end-to-end delivery times, from order placement through to the customer's doorstep.
- Identify opportunities to optimise delivery partner and rider performance, commercial arrangements, and operational productivity.
- Build business cases, evaluate strategic trade-offs, and translate data-driven insights into actionable recommendations.
- Work Across the Business to Drive Change
- Partner with senior leaders across Operations, Product, Engineering, Data, and Finance to deliver cross-functional initiatives.
- Act as a strategic thought partner to the Founder, bringing fresh perspectives, analytical rigour, and strong commercial judgement.
- Challenge assumptions, solve ambiguous problems, and build scalable solutions that create lasting business value.
- Take a hands-on approach where needed, combining strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen.
What We're Looking For
- Deep industry expertise: Significant, directly relevant experience in last mile and delivery operations, ideally within quick commerce, on-demand delivery, food delivery, or a closely related sector. Direct experience in this field is essential.
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience: At least 10 years of overall professional experience, with a strong track record of leadership and measurable impact.
- Strategic and commercial mindset: Ability to think beyond day-to-day operations, evaluate business models, identify growth opportunities, and drive sustainable improvements in unit economics.
- Proven operational expertise: Strong understanding of delivery partner and rider management, end-to-end delivery performance, capacity planning, and operational scalability.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills: Highly analytical, structured, and comfortable navigating complex, ambiguous business challenges.
- Entrepreneurial ambition: A genuine desire to broaden your experience beyond a traditional functional role, develop your entrepreneurial capabilities, and learn what it takes to build and scale a business.
- Ownership and execution: A self-starter who combines big-picture thinking with a hands-on approach, high standards, and a relentless bias for action.
- Strong stakeholder leadership: Ability to influence senior stakeholders, build relationships, and drive outcomes across functions.
Why Join Zapp?
This is more than a traditional leadership role. It's an opportunity to work side by side with our Founder, gain direct exposure to entrepreneurial decision-making, and develop the skills and perspective required to build and scale a business.
You'll have the freedom to explore ambitious ideas, the responsibility to drive meaningful outcomes, and the opportunity to learn first-hand how strategy, operations, technology, and commercial decisions come together.
For someone with deep delivery industry experience and entrepreneurial aspirations, this is a chance to step beyond functional leadership and accelerate your journey towards becoming a business builder.
Of course we also offer:
- Competitive salary & equity package.
- Private Health Insurance (Bupa).
- Zapp Credit for testing the Zapp service and experience.
- Extended sick pay and maternity/paternity leave pay.
- 25 days annual leave, excluding UK Bank Holidays.
- Healthy lunch provided 4 days of a week at HQ.
Director, Founder's Office (Last Mile & Delivery) in London employer: Zapp
Zapp is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Nine Elms, London, where innovation and growth are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including private health insurance and generous leave policies, Zapp fosters a culture of collaboration and high performance, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the convenience retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Founder's Office (Last Mile & Delivery) in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Zapp and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Zapp!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Zapp keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Founder's Office (Last Mile & Delivery) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Zapp:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Zapp. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zapp
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Zapp.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Zapp that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Zapp. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
