Head of Supply Chain Operations Development

Frontline; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Informal hybrid working

Additional leave: 2 paid volunteering

Wellbeing support

On-site gym and parking

Reward Gateway scheme

Salary-sacrifice options

Learning and development opportunities

Coaching and mentoring

Job summary

Frontline Group is seeking a senior leader to drive a strategic supply chain transformation across our operations. You will translate complex opportunity into practical programmes, introducing new processes, systems and automation that support sustainable growth and deliver measurable benefits.

Reporting to the Group Supply Chain Director, you will partner with senior leaders, operational teams and external partners to shape change from concept to implementation and benefits realisation.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering large-scale supply chain, logistics or operational transformation programmes.
• Experience leading operational change involving new facilities, start-up operations, major expansions or warehouse automation.
• Familiarity with complex operational environments such as distribution, logistics, retail, wholesale, FMCG, manufacturing, parcel or carrier operations.
• Strong programme management experience, including governance, planning, risk management and benefit tracking.
• Confidence building business cases and using operational and financial data to support decisions.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex change, growth and ambiguity.
• Strong stakeholder and supplier management skills, including working with senior leaders and external partners.
• Strategic mindset with practical, hands-on delivery approach.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with ability to simplify complexity and create clarity.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and increase operational efficiency through process redesign, automation, and data-led solutions.
• Lead supply chain network reviews, operating model redesign and operational improvement programmes.
• Drive improvements across distribution, freight, transport, productivity, supplier performance, sustainability, and resilience.
• Develop data-led operational solutions and take them through approval, implementation and benefit realisation.
• Build clear business cases, including return on investment, payback and risk assessments.
• Lead complex cross-functional programmes, managing milestones, budgets, risks, dependencies and change impacts.
• Build strong relationships across Operations, Commercial, Finance and Technology, as well as with consultants, suppliers and logistics partners.
• Translate complex operational information into clear recommendations and programme updates

Job description

Are you ready to shape a more efficient, scalable, and future-focused supply chain?

This is a pivotal opportunity to lead strategic supply chain transformation across Frontline Group, improving efficiency, service, cost performance, and operational resilience.

You will turn complex opportunities into practical programmes, introducing new processes, systems and automation that support sustainable growth and deliver measurable benefits.

Reporting to the Group Supply Chain Director, you will work closely with senior leaders, operational teams and third-party partners to shape and deliver change from concept through to implementation and benefit realisation.

You will bring significant experience delivering large-scale supply chain, logistics or operational automation transformation programmes, ideally within complex environments such as distribution, logistics, retail, wholesale, FMCG, manufacturing or parcel and carrier operations.

You will be confident operating at senior stakeholder level, translating complex operational information into clear recommendations and leading cross-functional teams through change, growth and ambiguity.

We offer an informal hybrid working model, with a minimum of 8 office days every 4 weeks.

What you'll be doing:

• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and increase operational efficiency through process redesign, automation, and data-led solutions.
• Lead supply chain network reviews, operating model redesign and operational improvement programmes.
• Drive improvements across distribution, freight, transport, productivity, supplier performance, sustainability, and resilience.
• Develop data-led operational solutions and take them through approval, implementation and benefit realisation.
• Build clear business cases, including return on investment, payback and risk assessments.
• Lead complex cross-functional programmes, managing milestones, budgets, risks, dependencies and change impacts.
• Build strong relationships across Operations, Commercial, Finance and Technology, as well as with consultants, suppliers and logistics partners.
• Translate complex operational information into clear recommendations and programme updates

What we're looking for:

• Experience delivering large-scale supply chain, logistics or operational transformation programmes.
• Experience leading operational change involving new facilities, start-up operations, major expansions or warehouse automation.
• Familiarity with complex operational environments such as distribution, logistics, retail, wholesale, FMCG, manufacturing, parcel or carrier operations.
• Strong programme management experience, including governance, planning, risk management and benefit tracking.
• Confidence building business cases and using operational and financial data to support decisions.
• The ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex change, growth and ambiguity.
• Strong stakeholder and supplier management skills, including working with senior leaders and external partners.
• A strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands‑on approach to delivery.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, with the ability to simplify complexity and create clarity.
• A resilient, accountable and commercially aware approach, with curiosity for continuous improvement and a focus on results.

Even if you don't meet every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you. If you're excited about the role and believe you could be a great fit, we encourage you to apply.

Please note Frontline Group is unable to provide sponsorship for this role.

About us

United by our mission to ‘Make the Complex Simple', we connect some of the world's most recognised brands with consumers across retail, media, and premium environments. We're the UK's leading magazine distribution business and a leading retail solutions partner across publishing and home entertainment, made up of three business units - Frontline Distribution Solutions, Frontline Retail Solutions, and Gold Key Media.

Through our three business units, we deliver market-leading solutions across publishing, home entertainment, and global brand engagement. From managing the retail journey for iconic titles like Vogue, Grazia, Radio Times and Good Housekeeping, as well as leading children's brands such as Pokémon, Frozen and Barbie, to working with major publishers, film and music studios, and leading UK retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose, we play a critical role in bringing products to market. Our reach also extends to premium global environments, with brand placements across major travel hubs, four- and five-star hotels, airport lounges, and internationally renowned events - partnering with world-leading hospitality venues to engage high‑value audiences.

Whether it's magazines, collectibles, books, music, film, or global brand campaigns, we combine deep industry expertise, strong partnerships, and innovative execution to deliver commercial success for our clients.

Our Culture

We're passionate about developing talent and supporting our people grow and thrive.

Our people are at the heart of our success. You'll be part of a business that celebrates diversity and creates an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Guided by our I ACT values - Impact, Ambition, Collaboration, and Trust - you'll work in a team that encourages innovation, drives sustainable performance, and supports your development, giving you the opportunity to make a real impact within a happy, high-performing and inclusive working environment.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your wellbeing and lifestyle, including:

• Contributory pension, including life assurance, and income protection
• Informal hybrid working arrangements, combining in-office and remote/home working.
• Additional leave: 2 paid volunteering days per year and family‑friendly policy
• Wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme
• On-site gym and parking at Stuart House, Peterborough
• Reward Gateway scheme - Smart Spending App with access to a range of deals and discounts
• Salary-sacrifice options including private medical insurance, car scheme, and holiday purchase scheme
• Learning and development opportunities
• Coaching and mentoring available to all colleagues