Area Operation Manager

Search; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Search is seeking an Area Operations Manager to lead a large final mile delivery operation, driving customer experience, operational excellence, and performance improvement across the region.

Reporting to the Area Delivery Manager, you will act as second-in-command, shape performance strategy, coach regional teams, and work with planning, compliance and commercial teams to ensure outstanding service during peak trading periods. Strong leadership and logistics expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Current UK Driving Licence.
• IOSH Qualification (or equivalent).
• Experience in logistics, delivery, or supply chain.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Strong coaching, mentoring and leadership capability.
• Experience using operational/financial data to support decision-making.
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight in the absence of the Area Delivery Manager.
• Coach and develop operational leaders to improve customer experience and performance across the final mile delivery journey.
• Support the development and implementation of performance improvement strategies, training initiatives, and coaching programmes.
• Analyse financial and operational performance data to identify opportunities for improvement and support operational decision-making.
• Lead divisional resource and coverage planning, ensuring successful delivery during peak periods.
• Work alongside planning teams to optimise operational efficiency through effective forecasting, round modelling, and resource allocation.
• Drive the successful implementation and adoption of operational change initiatives.
• Support the maintenance of operational standards, compliance requirements, and service excellence across the division.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including operational, commercial, planning, and compliance teams.
• Contribute to maintaining positive and productive industrial and union relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Influencing

Analytical thinking

Commercial focus

Resilience

Problem solving

Planning

Job description

Area Operations Manager (Final Mile Logistics)

Logistics & Final Mile Delivery Industry

Are you a high-performing operations leader with a passion for driving customer experience, operational excellence, and performance improvement?

We are partnered with a leading organisation within the final mile delivery and logistics sector that is looking to appoint an experienced Area Operations Manager to support and enhance performance across a large delivery operation.

This is a key leadership role, providing operational expertise, strategic insight, and performance coaching to regional management teams, ensuring exceptional service delivery for customers and clients across a fast-paced logistics network.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Area Delivery Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational performance, planning effectiveness, and divisional success. Acting as the second-in-command for the area, you will provide leadership cover when required and help shape the future performance strategy across the delivery operation.

You will work closely with Regional Delivery Managers, Assistant Regional Delivery Managers, Community Managers, Planning Teams, and wider operational stakeholders to improve performance, strengthen customer outcomes, and ensure operational readiness during peak trading periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight in the absence of the Area Delivery Manager.
• Coach and develop operational leaders to improve customer experience and performance across the final mile delivery journey.
• Support the development and implementation of performance improvement strategies, training initiatives, and coaching programmes.
• Analyse financial and operational performance data to identify opportunities for improvement and support operational decision-making.
• Lead divisional resource and coverage planning, ensuring successful delivery during peak periods.
• Work alongside planning teams to optimise operational efficiency through effective forecasting, round modelling, and resource allocation.
• Drive the successful implementation and adoption of operational change initiatives.
• Support the maintenance of operational standards, compliance requirements, and service excellence across the division.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including operational, commercial, planning, and compliance teams.
• Contribute to maintaining positive and productive industrial and union relationships.

About You

We're looking for a commercially aware and people-focused operational leader who thrives in a dynamic, customer-driven environment.

Essential Qualifications

• Current UK Driving Licence
• IOSH Qualification (or equivalent)

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience within logistics, delivery, transport, supply chain, or a customer-focused operational environment
• Understanding of self-employed courier delivery models
• Experience managing or influencing budgets
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and leadership capability
• Proven ability to drive performance improvement initiatives
• Experience using operational and financial data to support decision-making
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop effective contingency solutions

Skills & Attributes

• Strong negotiation and influencing abilities
• Adaptable leadership style
• Analytical and commercially focused
• Resilient and results-driven

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a market-leading operation at a pivotal time of growth and transformation. You'll have the chance to influence regional performance, shape operational strategy, and make a measurable impact on both customer experience and business results.

If you're an experienced operations leader looking for your next challenge within the fast-moving world of final mile logistics, we'd love to hear from you.