Head of Operations – Pharmaceutical

Pod Talent; Ealing; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the pharmaceutical sector is seeking a Head of Operations to shape and lead operational strategy across the UK. This role offers the chance to establish a new distribution center and build high-performing teams, ensuring compliance with GDP and MHRA standards while driving operational excellence.

Benefits

Autonomy to design and optimise operations

Performance-driven culture valuing mentorship and innovation

Qualifications

• Strong experience in operations leadership within a pharmaceutical/medical grade environment.
• Excellent understanding of GDP, MHRA and medical-grade warehousing standards.
• Proven people leader with a track record of developing future leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational activities across the UK, ensuring compliance and performance.
• Implement GDP/MHRA-compliant SOPs, ensuring audit readiness.
• Drive improvements in warehouse processes and vendor performance.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance

Operational excellence

Continuous improvement

Job description

Head of Operations – Pharmaceutical

Location: North-West London (with some national travel)

Package: £70,000 – £80,000 + Bonus

We’re pleased retained exclusively with a growing pharmaceutical business on their search for a high-impact Head of Operations. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead the operational strategy for UK&I, including a capex projects and oversight of additional locations as the business expands.

This role is ideal for a driven, high-energy operations leader with a deep understanding of GDP and MHRA requirements, a passion for building high-performing teams, and the drive to embed scalable processes in a growing, regulated environment.

Your Role:

As Head of Operations, you will take full ownership of operational leadership across the UK network, with an immediate focus on establishing and optimising a brand-new distribution centre. You’ll be accountable for compliance, fulfilment performance, site safety, and team development - ensuring every process supports both operational excellence and regulatory requirements.

Reporting to the Operations Director, this is a visible, hands-on leadership role with the opportunity to shape national infrastructure as the business continues its rapid growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all operational activity across the UK, including strategy agenda, fulfilment performance, operational development, transport, and facilities management.
• Build and mentor a warehouse team and site leadership structure focused on safety, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Implement GDP/MHRA-compliant SOPs across warehousing, handling, and storage, ensuring audit readiness and high standards at all times.
• Drive improvement in warehouse processes, layout, systems and vendor performance, working closely with QA, Supply Chain and Commercial teams.
• Act as a strategic partner to the senior team - providing insights on capacity, expansion opportunities, and operational risk.

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong experience in operations leadership within a pharmaceutical/medical grade environment
• Excellent understanding of GDP, MHRA and medical-grade warehousing standards.
• Demonstrated experience building and improving operations in fast paced businesses including warehouse layout, SOPs, and tech adoption.
• A proven people leader who can coach and inspire teams at all levels, with a track record of developing future leaders.
• Commercially aware, confident in using data to improve performance, reduce risk, and make fast decisions.
• A self-starter with the energy and mindset to lead from the front - especially in ambiguous, high-growth environments.

What We Offer:

• The chance to lead the national operations agenda in a growing business, bringing your expertise and leadership to shape it from the ground up.
• Autonomy to design and optimise how the UK distribution network functions, with backing from a forward-thinking leadership team.
• A performance and people driven culture that values mentorship, initiative, and innovation with genuine opportunity to grow with the business.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that underrepresented groups are less like to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Pod Talent is dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams with our clients So if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply as we are always on the lookout for great talent!

If this is an opportunity you feel would be suited to your skills and experience and are interested in finding out more then click Apply now or contact Seb Taylor at Pod Talent.