Operations Manager Markets Service, Markets - Retail Markets

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Membership of West Midlands Pension

Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days

My Rewards Scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the Markets Service across Rag, Indoor and Open Markets. You will manage a small team of officers, oversee performance, and drive service improvements in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires a degree, experience in complex, high-pressure settings, and proven budget, procurement and change management capability. This is a permanent, full-time post with a 36.5-hour week and a focus on income generation and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree Level
• Hold Diploma in Markets Management or be willing to achieve this
• Experience delivering services in complex high pressure environment
• Proven ability and consistent achievement at management level in a service organisation of comparable scope and complexity or in Markets Management
• Proven record of managing significant budgets and procuring and managing contracts and services
• Demonstrate high level of self motivation and flexibility, with the ability and confidence to work with minimal oversight and supervision
• Experience of leading the delivery of strategic objectives and policies through effective service planning
• High level time management, prioritisation, problem solving and decision making skills
• Experience of delivering major workforce and operational change

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the Rag, Indoor and Open Markets, ensuring high-quality service delivery across all market locations.
• Manage and develop market teams, overseeing staff performance, workforce planning and employee relations in line with Council policies.
• Drive operational and service improvements, leading business change, efficiency initiatives and projects that enhance income generation and customer experience.
• Support financial management across the Markets Service, including budget monitoring, debt recovery, performance analysis and financial forecasting.
• Manage procurement activities, contracts and supplier relationships to ensure effective delivery of services.
• Develop strong relationships with traders, stakeholders and trade representatives, promoting engagement, communication and market growth.
• Lead the development and delivery of market strategies, business plans, promotional campaigns and performance measures to support the continued success and growth of the Markets Service.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree level

Diploma in Markets Management

Job description

Operations Manager Markets Service, Markets – Retail Markets

Permanent

Grade 6 £56,293 - £66,690

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

We are looking for the right person to join and lead our Markets Team.

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for an experienced professional with a strong management background to lead, shape and develop our service during a period of change. This role requires confidence, you will oversee a small team of officers, and engage with other stakeholders both internally and externally,

This role is fast-paced, and the post-holder will be required to meet regular deadlines which are in line with our policies.

What you will do

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the Rag, Indoor and Open Markets, ensuring high-quality service delivery across all market locations.
• Manage and develop market teams, overseeing staff performance, workforce planning and employee relations in line with Council policies.
• Drive operational and service improvements, leading business change, efficiency initiatives and projects that enhance income generation and customer experience.
• Support financial management across the Markets Service, including budget monitoring, debt recovery, performance analysis and financial forecasting.
• Manage procurement activities, contracts and supplier relationships to ensure effective delivery of services and value for money.
• Develop strong relationships with traders, stakeholders and trade representatives, promoting engagement, communication and market growth.
• Lead the development and delivery of market strategies, business plans, promotional campaigns and performance measures to support the continued success and growth of the Markets Service.

What you’ll need to be able to demonstrate

• Educated to Degree Level
• Hold Diploma in Markets Management or be willing to achieve this
• Experience delivering services in complex high pressure environment
• Proven ability and consistent achievement at management level in a service organisation of comparable scope and complexity or in Markets Management
• Proven record of managing significant budgets and procuring and managing contracts and services
• Demonstrate high level of self motivation and flexibility, with the ability and confidence to work with minimal oversight and supervision
• Experience of leading the delivery of strategic objectives and policies through effective service planning.
• High level time management, prioritisation, problem solving and decision making skills
• Experience of delivering major workforce and operational change

What we offer in return…

• Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund– with generous employer contributions
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement– 30 days, increasing with length of service
• My Rewards Scheme – access to over 800 brands providing discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support– independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling

Job description and person specification

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will use positive action to support us to achieve diverse shortlists. This may mean that recruitment times are a little longer, but we think this is worth it to achieve our aim.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy | Birmingham City Council here.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.