Head of Operations South West

SRS Recruitment Solutions; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A distinguished recruitment agency based in the South West UK is seeking a Head of Operations to lead the warehouse, customer service, and supply chain functions. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in operations management within an SME and be comfortable in a hands-on role. The position offers competitive salary, excellent performance-driven rewards, and comprehensive benefits including a pension scheme and company bonus. Flexible working arrangements are possible.

Benefits

Pension

Health scheme

Company bonus

25 days holiday

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations or warehouse management within an SME.
• Strong people management and team development skills.
• Proficient in Excel for KPI tracking and reporting.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and health & safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day warehouse operations and team management.
• Oversee stock ordering and inventory management.
• Manage customer service and product support functions.
• Ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in operations.

Skills

Operations management

Team leadership

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Warehouse KPIs understanding

Global logistics management

ISO 9001 knowledge

Problem-solving skills

Job description

Vacancy No 5466

Vacancy Title HEAD OF OPERATIONS – BUILDING PRODUCTS- SOUTH WEST

Company

Our client is a well-established international manufacturer and distributor operating within the roofing, drainage and plumbing sectors. With origins dating back to the late 1940s, the business has built a strong reputation for innovation, quality and reliability. It supplies a wide network of retailers, builders’ merchants and online partners across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Focused on delivering practical, high-quality solutions supported by excellent customer service, the company offers a stable yet growing environment for professionals looking to make an impact within an internationally recognised business.

Opportunity

The business is seeking a hands‑on Head of Operations to lead and develop the warehouse, customer service and supply chain function, playing a key role in supporting continued high‑growth performance (circa 40% year‑on‑year). Based at their site in the South West of England, this position is the senior on‑site leadership role, with responsibility for day‑to‑day operational performance alongside the design and implementation of scalable systems, processes and infrastructure to support future expansion. This is a practical, sleeves‑rolled‑up role, well suited to someone comfortable leading a small, multi‑functional team while building the capability, structure and standards required for the next phase of growth.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Operations & Warehouse Management

• Lead the day‑to‑day operation of the warehouse, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and service performance.
• Manage and develop the warehouse team (4 staff), setting clear expectations and performance standards.
• Own warehouse layouts, workflows, and capacity planning as volumes increase.
• Define, track, and improve warehouse KPIs including productivity, accuracy, service levels, and stock integrity.
• Support the setup and expansion of warehouse infrastructure, including racking, MHE, and operational systems.

Stock Control & Supply Chain

• Oversee stock ordering and inventory management (1 staff member).
• Work closely with Sales and Finance to support demand forecasting and stock availability.
• Manage inbound supply, including global container logistics and coordination with freight forwarders.
• Control inventory accuracy, stock turns, obsolete stock, and write‑offs.

Customer Service & Product Support

• Manage the customer service function (1 staff member).
• Actively support inbound customer calls, including technical and product‑related queries.
• Develop and maintain strong product knowledge across the product range to support customers and internal teams.
• Ensure a high standard of customer communication and issue resolution.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001 standards, including documentation and audits.
• Ensure adherence to Fire Safety, Health & Safety, and risk assessment requirements.
• Promote a strong safety and quality culture across the operation.

Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Take ownership of day‑to‑day operational systems – NetSuite ERP.
• Ensure data accuracy across stock, orders, and reporting.
• Use Excel confidently for KPI tracking, analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, implementing SOPs and scalable processes.
• Identify and implement system or automation improvements appropriate to a growing SME.

Financial & Commercial Support

• Manage control operational costs, including labour, freight, storage, and consumables.Support budgeting and forecasting activities in collaboration with Finance.Balance service levels with cost efficiency as the business scales.

Risk & Business Continuity

• Identify operational risks and capacity constraints and implement mitigation plans.
• Support business continuity planning for the warehouse operation.
• Manage supplier and logistics partner performance where relevant.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in an operations or warehouse management role, ideally within an SME or growth environment.
• Strong people management and team development experience.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Excel.
• Solid understanding of warehouse KPIs, layouts, processes, and capacity planning.
• Experience managing global container logistics and international supply chains.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, Health & Safety, and Fire Safety requirements.
• Comfortable operating in a hands‑on role within a small team.
• Experience setting up or expanding a warehouse operation (racking, MHE, systems) is highly desirable.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.

Training

All necessary training in relevant aspects of our Client’s business will be provided along with continuous training and development opportunities.

Location/Area

SOUTH WEST UK (Hybrid working possible)

Salary

COMPETITIVE BASIC SALARY + EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE DRIVEN REWARDS

Package

PENSION, HEALTH SCHEME, COMPANY BONUS, CAR, 25 DAYS HOLIDAY