Head of Operations

JR United Kingdom; Slough; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent energy drink brand in the UK is seeking a Head of Operations to scale its operations significantly. The role involves leading the operational structure, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring international supply chain compliance. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in operations within the food and beverage sector and excel in high-pressure environments. Competitive salary, performance incentives, and opportunities for career growth are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance incentives

Career growth opportunities

EMI options scheme

Qualifications

• 7+ years in operations, with 3–5 years at senior level.
• Experience in high-growth food & beverage, ideally with canned drinks.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor ops functions across production and planning.
• Overhaul internal ops systems to increase visibility.
• Drive automation and digitisation of processes.

Skills

Leadership

Operational strategy

Data analysis

Communication

Project management

Tools

Excel

Notion

Zapier

Job description

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? Location: Steven Bartlett’s HQ in Shoreditch, London (5 days/week in-office)

? Start Date: ASAP!

? Reports to: Co-Founders

? Works With: All departments: Sales, Finance, Marketing, Product, Procurement, Fulfilment, Demand Planning

Overview

PerfectTed, the fastest growing energy drink brand in the UK and the largest matcha brand in Europe, is hiring a Head of Operations to lead the backbone of our business as we scale from £40M to £100M+ revenue.

This role will lead the full operational structure - people, processes, and performance - across all SKUs: cans, pods, sticks, and pouches.

We are also entering new markets, including the U.S., where we’re setting up new manufacturing partnerships, and this role will play a critical part in international supply chain strategy, U.S. compliance, and partner onboarding.

This isn’t just supply chain - it’s company-wide performance architecture. From process design and people leadership to system implementation and cross-functional collaboration, you’ll build and oversee a high-output ops team across formats and countries.

You’ll run ops with the precision of a Formula 1 pit crew. You’re part operator, part strategist, and part mentor. You bring structure and clarity where there’s chaos. And you thrive in a high-energy environment that moves fast.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor ops functions across production, fulfilment, procurement, and planning
• Manage a hybrid matrix team, including category leads (Powder, Drinks) and central functions (Procurement, Logistics, Demand Planning)
• Define clear roles, accountability, and workflows to reduce duplication and elevate team efficiency
• Build a roadmap for internal capacity: who, what, and when to hire next

? Systems & Processes

• Overhaul internal ops systems (Notion, Excel, Unleashed, GSheets, etc.) to increase visibility and reduce waste
• Establish S&OP rhythms, planning cycles, and decision-making cadences
• Drive automation and digitisation of processes where possible (Zapier, AI agents, macros)
• Champion accurate forecasting, strong inventory control, and data-led decision making
• Work closely with Sales and Marketing to map plans to stock, production, and launch readiness
• Translate commercial strategy into capacity planning, budgeting, and supply chain execution
• Provide detailed Excel dashboards to Founders and Finance with data-driven operational insights

? Executional Firepower

• Step in to troubleshoot critical issues (stockouts, delays, QCs, run failures)
• Liaise directly with top co-man partners, freight providers, and retailers when needed
• Ensure the brand’s operational performance matches the excellence of its consumer brand

Requirements

• 7+ years in operations, with 3–5 years at senior level (Head of Ops / Supply Chain / Logistics)
• Experience in high-growth food & bev - ideally with canned drinks and/or ambient powders
• End-to-end supply chain expertise, including working with major UK retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, etc.)
• Proven track record building and leading high-performing teams
• Advanced Excel skills - you speak spreadsheet, live in Gantt views, and audit models on the fly
• Commercial awareness and ability to interface across functions
• Strategic yet hands-on - entrepreneurial, solutions-driven, and constantly optimising for efficiency
• Proactive communicator with high energy who thrives in fast-paced environments
• Must have full right to work in the UK, and be available to work in-office 5 days/week

? Nice-to-Haves:

• Previous Head of Ops or Ops Director role in high-growth food/drink startup
• Familiarity with Unleashed, Notion, Zapier, Airtable, or similar
• Operational knowledge across international markets (EU/US)
• Exposure to product innovation timelines, NPD ops, and rapid retail rollout

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance incentives
• EMI options scheme (real equity upside)
• Career growth opportunities and training
• Work alongside the Flight Studio team at Steven Bartlett’s HQ

The Ideal Candidate Is:

• Strategic and operational - a planner and a doer
• Incredibly organised with a bias for clarity
• A confident, calm leader who makes high-stakes decisions swiftly
• Passionate about building systems that scale
• Excellent with Excel - and demanding when others aren’t

We’re in our fourth year, having done £10M last year and on track to hit £40M+ this year. This is a rare opportunity to take the reins of one of the UK’s fastest-scaling FMCG brands - at the inflection point of scale.

For more information please contact Ella Beaver - People & Culture Manager: [emailprotected]