Head Of Operations

Job Advert; Hoddesdon; On-site; GBP 104,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life Assurance

Health & wellbeing support

Discounts on everyday purchases

34 days holiday

Job summary

OA are seeking a Head of Operations to join our client's growing team. You will lead depot operations across Warehouse, Transportation and National Facilities, ensuring Health, Safety and Legal standards are upheld while quality, service and financial targets are achieved.

This national role requires travel across all 6 sites. You may be based from Royton, Banbury or Hoddesdon, with a Monday‑Friday onsite, 40-hour week.

Salary: £116,000 + £7,500 car allowance + bonus.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-site depot operations.
• Strong focus on Health, Safety and Legal compliance.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Senior Management team consisting of 7 direct reports.
• Prepare, manage and control cost, revenue and capital budgets across all sites, ensuring cost-effective operations while achieving customer service and operational KPIs.
• Ensure operations receive accurate and timely client volumes and promotional information to support effective planning and cost control.
• Monitor key KPI targets through regular reporting and performance metrics.
• Manage the performance of all direct reports by setting objectives, monitoring progress and providing regular feedback.
• Develop the management team to deliver business objectives while ensuring operations remain Health, Safe and Legal at all times.
• Lead business tenders across key operational areas including Fleet, MHE and Facilities, and support the management of third-party contractors to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with trade unions and ensure positive industrial relations.
• Work collaboratively with the Operations Director and wider business to maximise the effectiveness of warehouse and distribution activities.
• Make effective and commercially sound decisions in the best interests of the business.
• Provide regular operational updates and performance information to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Continuously manage operational performance against KPIs, ensuring targets are achieved within agreed efficiency and cost parameters.
• Support direct reports in achieving objectives, developing talent and maximising individual and team potential.
• Drive continuous improvement across operational KPIs, ensuring sustainability, continuity, legal compliance and best practice.
• Manage financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities across the division.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the business and support the ongoing efficiency and effectiveness of the wider logistics network.
• Work closely with Transportation Planning, Procurement, Client Relations, Customer Services, Finance and CAD to maintain clear communication and deliver operational objectives and budgets.
• Ensure consistency, Health, Safety, Legal compliance and best practice.

Job description

Head of Operations

OA are seeking a Head of Operations to join our client's growing team.

Our client operates the UK's only flexible, multi-temperature, shared customer delivery logistics network. They buy, warehouse, pick and distribute products for some of the nation's best-loved food and drink brands every day, delivering an exceptional customer experience.

As Head of Operations, you will lead and develop depot operations across Warehouse, Transportation and National Facilities, ensuring Health, Safety and Legal standards are upheld while quality, service and financial targets are consistently achieved.

This is a national role requiring travel across all 6 sites. The role offers flexibility to be based from one of 3 main locations: Royton, Banbury or Hoddesdon.

Location: Hoddesdon, Banbury and Royton
Hours: Monday-Friday, onsite, 40-hour working week
Salary: £116,000 + £7,500 car allowance + bonus

Head of Operations Benefits

• Pension
• 1 year life assurance for all colleagues, or 3 years if you join the pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing support, including a 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family
• Exclusive deals and discounts on everyday purchases, including cinema vouchers, cycle to work and food and restaurant discounts
• 34 days holiday, including public holidays

Head of Operations Key Responsibilities

• Lead a Senior Management team consisting of 7 direct reports
• Prepare, manage and control cost, revenue and capital budgets across all sites, ensuring cost-effective operations while achieving customer service and operational KPIs
• Ensure operations receive accurate and timely client volumes and promotional information to support effective planning and cost control
• Monitor key KPI targets through regular reporting and performance metrics
• Manage the performance of all direct reports by setting objectives, monitoring progress and providing regular feedback
• Develop the management team to deliver business objectives while ensuring operations remain Health, Safe and Legal at all times
• Lead business tenders across key operational areas including Fleet, MHE and Facilities, and support the management of third-party contractors to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services
• Build and maintain effective relationships with trade unions and ensure positive industrial relations
• Work collaboratively with the Operations Director and wider business to maximise the effectiveness of warehouse and distribution activities
• Make effective and commercially sound decisions in the best interests of the business
• Provide regular operational updates and performance information to the Senior Leadership Team
• Continuously manage operational performance against KPIs, ensuring targets are achieved within agreed efficiency and cost parameters
• Support direct reports in achieving objectives, developing talent and maximising individual and team potential
• Drive continuous improvement across operational KPIs, ensuring sustainability, continuity, legal compliance and best practice
• Manage financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities across the division
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the business and support the ongoing efficiency and effectiveness of the wider logistics network
• Work closely with Transportation Planning, Procurement, Client Relations, Customer Services, Finance and CAD to maintain clear communication and deliver operational objectives and budgets
• Ensure consistency, Health, Safety, Legal compliance and best p