Senior Operations Manager

Plunkett & Graver, P.C.; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A logistics and distribution company based in Northampton is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead a transport operation in the healthcare sector. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, experience in managing transport teams, and a focus on customer satisfaction. Responsibilities include operational performance management and developing team capabilities. A full clean UK driving license is required for occasional travel to Leeds.

Benefits

Competitive annual leave entitlement

Pension and life assurance

Employee benefits platform with discounts

Qualifications

• Experienced in leading and developing a team of transport professionals.
• Strong customer focus and ability to build credible relationships.
• Demonstrable experience of driving innovation and change.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational performance and service delivery.
• Develop and ensure training and succession plans are in place.
• Attend customer meetings and report on operational activities.

Skills

Leadership skills

Stakeholder management skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Change and continuous improvement initiatives

Job description

YOUR ROLE

Our team based in Northampton, who provide essential distribution services within the healthcare sector for both hospital and patient‑at‑home care from our central NDC, have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and practiced Senior Operations Manager.

This pivotal role will see you lead a transport operation with dedicated temperature‑controlled fleet where you will implement operational and customer service best practice.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Reporting into the General Manager, you will lead a team of four direct reports, circa 100 indirect reports, plus agency resource during peak periods, therefore you must be comfortable working within a high volume and change environment. You will take full responsibility for developing the team, ensuring colleagues are engaged, motivated, and fully trained to meet operational targets and demand. You will work with your management team to embed training and succession plans and ensure absence, sickness and holiday cover is managed efficiently so not to affect operational SLA or KPI activities.

You will manage day‑to‑day operational performance, health and safety, quality and service delivery targets ensuring all are achieved in line with customer requirements, reporting on successes, and investigating and embedding remedial actions where required. You will contribute to financial and operational targets, collaborating with wider departments ensuring client requests and requirements are met and exceeded.

This role requires strong leadership and stakeholder management skills where you will regularly attend customer and client meetings reporting on operational activities, addressing concerns, and implementing corrective solutions. You will also take an active approach to site‑based projects with a view to improving and implementing operational efficiencies and effectiveness whilst driving best practice approaches.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

To be successful you will be a strong operations manager, experienced in leading and developing a team of transport professionals and drivers, ideally within a healthcare or temperature‑controlled transport environment. You will possess excellent leadership skills, with demonstrable experience of driving innovation, change, and continuous improvement initiatives. With a strong customer focus you will be capable of building credible internal and external relationships, confident in challenging the status quo and skilled at managing complex matters, and practiced at implementing corrective actions.

It goes without saying that you will be a natural communicator and presenter, confident in showcasing operational successes and change initiatives to both internal and external stakeholder groups. You will be resilient with natural problem solving, decision making and influencing skills.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS (NOT ESSENTIAL)

• Six Sigma Certified
• Project Management
• Budget or P&L Management

We are looking for an individual who can take a flexible approach to working location, while your main site will be in Northampton there may be occasions where you will be required to travel to our out base operation in Leeds, therefore a full clean UK driving licence will be required.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?

With a genuine culture of reward and recognition, we want our employees to grow, develop and be part of our journey. We offer a benefits package that includes competitive annual leave entitlement with a fantastic holiday buy scheme, pension and life assurance along with access to an employee benefits platform that offers discounts on gym memberships and money off vouchers for a diverse range of retail, travel and hospitality brands.

ABOUT TOMORROW

We value your professional and personal growth. That's why we share plenty of career opportunities for you to thrive within CEVA. Join CEVA for a challenging career.

EEO STATEMENT

CEVA Logistics UK&I is committed to attracting, acquiring and retaining the best possible candidates in an equal and inclusive way that is consistent with employment legislation and best practice. We aim to select the best available person for every vacancy irrespective of age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and marital or civil partnership status.

Please note that candidates will be subject to the necessary right to work checks for the UK and Ireland.