Director of Operations

Executive Recruit; South Yorkshire; Hybride; GBP 85 000 - 140 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Executive Recruit North UK is seeking an Operations Director to own the P&L across multiple sites in Scotland, Cumbria and Yorkshire. The role is PE-backed and requires strategic leadership, financial discipline, and a proven ability to drive transformation.

You will standardise processes, integrate new facilities and fleets, and mentor divisional heads to deliver sustained performance, quality, and profitability across a complex, geographically dispersed operation.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience at Head of Operations/Operations Director.
• Proven track record in multi-site operations across the UK.
• Experience integrating new facilities and fleets post-acquisition.
• Experience in PE-backed environments preferred.

Responsabilités

• Own the P&L for respective divisions with cost control and value creation.
• Contribute to due diligence for acquisition targets and integration.
• Standardise operating model across multi-site and multi-national footprint.
• Lead Heads of division to drive high performance and accountability.
• Manage integration of new facilities and vehicle fleets.
• Drive lean manufacturing and cost-reduction while maintaining quality.
• Mentor divisional heads and empower teams.

Connaissances

P&L management

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Cost optimisation

Change management

Cross-site operations

PE-backed experience

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Logistics leadership

Description du poste

Location: North UK (Hybrid – Yorkshire, Cumbria, Scotland)

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Operations Director will take full strategic and P&L accountability for a fast-growing, multi-site business undergoing significant transformation through organic growth and strategic acquisition. Our client is investment‑backed, with private equity involvement. As such, experience of leading operational change within a PE‑backed environment is highly preferred.

This is not a role for a caretaker. It is a pivotal leadership position designed for a commercially astute, operationally rigorous, and highly resilient leader who thrives on challenge and is comfortable making difficult decisions.

You will be the architect of operational excellence, driving performance, standardisation, and profitability across the logistics and production heart of the business. With a footprint spanning Scotland, Cumbria, and Yorkshire, this role demands a leader who can navigate complexity, integrate new operational facilities, plants and fleets, and manage challenging personalities with authority and emotional intelligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the P&L for the respective business divisions, driving financial performance through rigorous cost control, efficiency optimisation, and value creation.


• As a key member of the executive leadership team, input into the strategic due diligence of acquisition targets, ensuring seamless integration into the existing operating model.


• Establish a robust and standardised operating model across a multi‑site, multi‑national footprint, harmonising practices to ensure uniform quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across all locations.


• Lead the Heads of each division, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and cooperation.


• Navigate the complexity of integrating new facilities and vehicle fleets following recent acquisitions, building scalable operational architecture that absorbs future growth without compromising service levels.


• Extensive leadership experience in a Head of Operations, Operations Director, or Plant Manager capacity, ideally within food processing, agricultural, or heavy logistics sectors.


• A proven track record of managing complex, multi‑site operations across the UK, with experience in mobile asset fleets or "hub and spoke" logistics models highly desirable.


• Demonstrated ability to manage large‑scale P&Ls, drive lean manufacturing processes, and implement cost‑reduction strategies while maintaining output quality.


• Experience leading teams through periods of rapid growth, transformation, or post‑acquisition integration, including the ability to manage resistance and drive change with authority.


• A collaborative yet firm leader who can mentor divisional heads, empower teams, and maintain rigorous accountability.


• Resilient, practical, and data‑driven, with a "sleeves rolled up" approach to solving the unique challenges of a complex, geographically dispersed supply chain.

Location & Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid role requiring regular travel between operational hubs in Cumbria, Scotland and Yorkshire. The successful candidate will be positioned to operate effectively across the North of England and Scotland.