Engineering Business Operations Lead

Kingfisher; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingfisher is seeking an Engineering Business Operations Lead to build a high-performing Operations Chapter and govern key processes, OKRs and governance. You will drive continuous improvement and deliver measurable outcomes across delivery, resources and finances.

You will partner with Product, Architecture, Portfolio, Finance, Procurement and People teams to ensure end-to-end delivery and strong financial control.

Qualifications

• Leading an Engineering Operations or Technology Business Management function in a large, complex organisation.
• Ability to build, lead and develop high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams across a matrix and geographies.
• Defining, implementing and improving operational processes, governance frameworks and operating rhythms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Engineering Operations Chapter to support current and future priorities.
• Own the OKR framework and cadence, translate strategy into measurable outcomes and keep progress visible.
• Define and improve key processes, governance, accountability and operational rigour.
• Provide timely management information across delivery, OKRs, risks, dependencies, resources and finances to support leadership decisions.
• Manage operational budgets, forecasts and partner investment with strong financial control.
• Resolve operational risks and issues, acting as a senior escalation point and driving timely recovery actions.
• Partner with Product, Architecture, Portfolio, Finance, Procurement and People teams to deliver end-to-end outcomes.
• Build and lead an inclusive Chapter with coaching, feedback, performance management and development.

Skills

Engineering Ops leadership

Matrix leadership

OKR management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Overview

We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas to life. Guided by our purpose Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone. We believe a better world starts with better homes, and we work every day to make that a reality. Join us and help shape the future of home improvement.

Job summary

We’re looking for an Engineering Business Operations Lead to ensure the function has the people, processes, governance and insight needed to deliver strategic priorities effectively. You’ll build a high-performing Operations Chapter, lead key operating processes and rhythms, and drive measurable organisational performance through OKRs, portfolio governance and continuous improvement. Please note that this role can be based from Southampton, London Paddington or Yeovil with a minimum expectation of four days per month in the office.

What's the job?

• Lead and develop the Business Management Operations Chapter, building the capability, skills and succession pipeline needed to support current and future priorities.
• Own the OKR framework and operating cadence, translating strategic priorities into clear, measurable outcomes and ensuring progress remains visible and on track.
• Define, govern and continuously improve key processes and ways of working, ensuring clear accountability, operational rigour and organisational effectiveness.
• Provide timely management information and insight across delivery, OKRs, risks, dependencies, resources and finances to support effective leadership decision-making.
• Manage operational budgets, forecasts and partner investment, ensuring strong financial control, evidence-based decisions and value for money.
• Lead the resolution of operational risks and issues, acting as a senior escalation point and driving timely recovery action where required.
• Partner across Product, Architecture, Portfolio, Finance, Procurement and People teams, aligning priorities, improving communication and resolving constraints to deliver end-to-end outcomes.
• Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive Chapter, setting clear expectations and providing coaching, feedback, performance management and career development.

What you'll bring

Essential

• Proven experience of leading an Engineering Operations, or Technology Business Management function in a large, complex organisation.
• Proven ability to build, lead and develop high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams across a matrix organisation and multiple geographies.
• Proven experience of defining, implementing and improving operational processes, governance frameworks and organisational operating rhythms.
• Experience of establishing and managing OKRs, performance measures and reporting that connect strategic priorities to measurable outcomes.

Desirable

• Strong technology operations experience, including workforce and capability planning, resource and supplier management, and a solid understanding of how Product, Engineering and Architecture work together.
• Excellent analytical and decision‑making skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear insight and action, navigate ambiguity, remove barriers and maintain momentum.
• Strong stakeholder leadership and communication skills, with proven ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders, facilitate effectively and build collaborative relationships.
• Proven people leadership capability, including coaching, performance and talent management, succession planning, and creating an inclusive environment where colleagues can challenge, learn and succeed together.

How We Work

We believe in flexibility and balance. Our hybrid model blends home working for focus with time spent connecting and collaborating - whether in our offices or at offsite locations. On average within our Engineering team - 20% of your time involving in‑person collaboration.

We value the perspectives new team members bring and encourage you to apply - even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements.

What We Offer

An inclusive environment where your potential is limited only by your imagination. We encourage new ideas, support experimentation, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can be their best self. Find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Kingfisher here

We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our customers come from all walks of life - and so do we. We’re committed to ensuring all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants are treated equally, regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, ethnicity, culture, religion, belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

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