A market-leading FMCG/Retail business requires a Head of Operations to lead it's multi-channel fulfilment, logistics and warehouse operations. The Head of Operations will take full accountability for operational performance across warehousing, customer fulfilment, inventory management, WMS utilisation, carrier relationships, and third-party logistics partners, ensuring outstanding service, efficiency, and safety standards.
Working closely with the wider leadership team, the Head of Operations will drive operational excellence, lead a team of approximately 35 employees (6 direct reports) across fulfilment, systems, inventory, warehousing and goods-in to support business growth plans and deliver process and continuous improvement across site operations. The Head of Operations should be a supportive and collaborative leader, capable of nurturing and developing talent while increasing employee engagement within the business.
Specific duties of the Head of Operations include:
- Lead all warehouse, fulfilment, inventory, and logistics operations, ensuring service, cost, quality, and safety targets are achieved.
- Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with business growth and customer requirements.
- Manage inbound, storage, picking, packing, and outbound activities whilst driving productivity and operational efficiency.
- Monitor and improve key operational KPIs including OTIF, inventory accuracy, productivity, service levels, and cost performance.
- Oversee operations supporting eCommerce, retail, wholesale, marketplace, and B2B fulfilment channels.
- Lead carrier management activities, including supplier performance reviews, contract negotiations, tender processes, and service improvement initiatives.
- Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), ensuring contractual service levels and continuous improvement objectives are achieved.
- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service, efficiency, and operational resilience.
- Support the businesses transformation agenda, drive change and ensure effective utilisation of WMS
Head of Operations applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Proven experience in a senior operational leadership position within distribution, logistics, fulfilment
- Experience leading a site or operation with full accountability for performance, service, cost, and people.
- Strong warehouse, fulfilment, logistics, and third-party logistics (3PL) management experience.
- Proven track record of supplier management, commercial negotiations, and carrier tender processes.
- Experience leading, developing, and motivating large operational teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrable success delivering operational improvement, transformation, and change initiatives.
- Experience with WMS, ERP, and carrier management systems would be advantageous
