Senior Operations Manager

Abbeygate Search Ltd; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbeygate Search Ltd in Hertfordshire is seeking a senior operations leader to shape and scale the company’s operations. You will own the central operational backbone, drive process improvements, automate where possible, and ensure workflows from initial enquiry through to invoice and payment run smoothly.

The role suits someone who enjoys building and evolving an SME operation, taking ownership, challenging status quo, and developing the operations team.

Qualifications

• Experience improving processes and automating workflows.
• Knowledge of systems and data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to oversee IT and third-party providers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee business administration and operational support.
• Manage invoicing, supplier payments and credit control.
• Oversee systems, IT and third-party technology providers.
• Ensure accreditation, compliance and insurance are maintained.
• Improve internal processes and workflow across the business.
• Develop the operational team and future structure.
• Shape the operations to scale with the business.

Skills

Process improvement

Automation

Systems thinking

IT oversight

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

I’m working with a growing owner-managed business in Hertfordshire that is looking to appoint a senior operational leader as it moves into its next phase of growth. This is a broad role rather than a traditional logistics or service-delivery operations position. The successful person will take responsibility for the central operational infrastructure that keeps the business running effectively, while also looking at how processes, systems and ways of working need to evolve as the company continues to scale. The remit will include oversight of areas such as:

• Business administration and operational support
• Invoicing, supplier payments and credit control
• Systems, IT and third-party technology providers
• Accreditation, compliance and insurance
• Internal processes and workflow
• Office and fleet-related operations
• Process improvement and automation
• Developing the operational team and future structure

A major part of the role will be looking across the business, identifying where processes can be improved or automated, and making sure work flows effectively from initial customer enquiry through to completion and payment. This would suit someone who enjoys building and improving rather than simply maintaining an established operation. You’ll need to be comfortable working in a growing SME environment, taking ownership, challenging existing ways of working and becoming the internal expert on how the operational side of the business should develop. The business is ambitious and growing quickly, so there is considerable scope to shape the position, build the team around you and take on increasing responsibility over time. For the right person, there is a genuine route towards an Operations Director-level position.

I’m particularly interested in speaking with people who have worked in growing SMEs or entrepreneurial businesses and who have experience of improving processes, introducing systems or automation, and building operational infrastructure to support growth.