Interim Operations Manager

Octagon Group; Luton; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Octagon Group is seeking an Interim Operations Manager to lead supply chain, planning, purchasing, inventory, warehousing and logistics for a 6‑month period in Luton. The role is fully onsite, with a 37.5‑hour week and an hourly rate of £60–£70, inside IR35.

You will build the demand, supply and inventory plan, lead warehouse operations, manage suppliers and drive KPI improvements while delivering results within a fixed term.

Qualifications

• A degree in supply chain, operations, business, engineering, logistics or related field.
• 5+ years’ progressive experience across supply chain, planning, procurement, inventory, warehouse or logistics.
• Experience leading people, projects, suppliers or cross‑functional teams.
• Strong ERP and inventory-system skills.
• Ability to get up to speed quickly and deliver results within a fixed term.

Responsibilities

• Build and run the demand, supply and inventory plan, balancing customer service, working capital and cost.
• Lead warehouse operations, from goods in and kitting through to dispatch, returns and traceability.
• Set inventory policies and drive stock accuracy through cycle counting and root‑cause fixes.
• Manage suppliers, contract manufacturers and logistics partners on quality, delivery and cost.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes and product transitions.
• Track and improve KPIs such as on‑time delivery, inventory turns, stock accuracy and freight cost.
• Lead the team and put simple, scalable processes in place.

Skills

Supply chain experience

Planning & procurement

Inventory management

Warehouse operations

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain/related field

Tools

ERP software

Inventory management systems

Job description

Interim Operations Manager – Supply Chain, Warehouse & Logistics

Luton (onsite) | 6-month contract | £60–£70 per hour, inside IR35 | 37.5 hours per week

Are you an operations leader who can step in, take ownership and leave things running better than you found them?

Our client designs connected monitoring products that protect critical electrical infrastructure. The business is growing internationally. They need an experienced Operations Manager for a 6-month contract, based in Luton, to own the whole journey from supplier to customer.

The role

You will lead supply chain planning, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, logistics and customer fulfilment. This is a broad, hands‑on role with real scope to shape how operations run. You will:

• Build and run the demand, supply and inventory plan, balancing customer service, working capital and cost.
• Lead warehouse operations, from goods in and kitting through to dispatch, returns and traceability.
• Set inventory policies and drive stock accuracy through cycle counting and root‑cause fixes.
• Manage suppliers, contract manufacturers and logistics partners on quality, delivery and cost.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes and product transitions.
• Track and improve KPIs such as on‑time delivery, inventory turns, stock accuracy and freight cost.
• Lead the team and put simple, scalable processes in place.

What you’ll bring

• A degree in supply chain, operations, business, engineering, logistics or a related field.
• 5+ years’ progressive experience across supply chain, planning, procurement, inventory, warehouse or logistics.
• Experience leading people, projects, suppliers or cross‑functional teams.
• Strong ERP and inventory‑system skills.
• The ability to get up to speed quickly and deliver results within a fixed term.

Great to have

• APICS CPIM/CSCP, CIPS, Lean or Six Sigma.
• A background in electronics, electrical equipment, sensors or connected products.
• Experience of S&OP, new product introductions, 3PLs or contract manufacturers.
• Knowledge of import/export, customs and international freight.

The contract

• 37.5 hours per week, fully onsite in Luton.