Operations Director
Keelings
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Keelings is a 100% Irish-owned family business specialising in fresh produce, operating across Ireland, the UK and Europe. The Operations Director will provide strategic leadership across warehousing, logistics, transport and quality, driving growth with a strong focus on service, safety and efficiency.
The role requires directing end-to-end operations, building a high-performing team, and implementing scalable processes while ensuring regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering or related discipline
- Transport Manager CPC qualification required
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Leadership, logistics or operational excellence qualifications desirable
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across a complex operational environment including warehouse, logistics, transport, technical, quality, stock control and site infrastructure functions.
- Develop and execute operational strategy to support current performance and future growth with service, quality, safety and compliance objectives.
- Own P&L for operations and drive financial performance through disciplined budgeting and cost control.
- Oversee transport operations and fleet management for 50+ vehicles.
- Lead technology-led improvements using automation, AI and digital systems.
- Ensure robust controls across inventory, product integrity, regulatory compliance and health & safety.
Skills
Education
Job description
Keelings is a 100% Irish-owned family business passionate about fresh produce. Operating across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, we grow, source, and supply top-quality fruit and vegetables. Our success is built on innovation, sustainability, and strong partnerships — powered by our dedicated people.
Keelings is a 100% Irish-owned family business passionate about fresh produce. Operating across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, we grow, source, and supply top-quality fruit and vegetables. Our success is built on innovation, sustainability, and strong partnerships — powered by our dedicated people.
The Operations Director is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction and operational leadership across the organisation's end-to-end operational function. The role will oversee the complete operational ecosystem, including warehouse, logistics, transport, technical, quality, stock control and site infrastructure functions, ensuring the business delivers exceptional customer service, operational excellence and sustainable growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a high-performing operational capability through effective leadership, robust processes, performance management, continuous improvement and the development of scalable ways of working. Working as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role will influence business strategy, shape future operational requirements and ensure the organisation is positioned to support growth, evolving customer expectations and future business challenges.
- Provide strategic leadership across a complex, multi-functional operational environment encompassing warehouse, logistics, transport, technical, quality, stock control and site infrastructure functions.
- Develop and execute the operational strategy, ensuring the business has the capability, capacity, infrastructure and resources required to support current performance and future growth while delivering agreed service, quality, productivity, safety, compliance and customer performance objectives.
- Assume full P&L responsibility for the operational function, driving financial performance through disciplined budget management, cost control, productivity improvement, sustainable margin enhancement and strategic cost‑saving initiatives.
- Provide strategic oversight of the company's transport operation and fleet, ensuring optimum fleet utilisation, compliance, maintenance planning, replacement strategies, operational efficiency and cost effectiveness across a fleet of 50+ vehicles.
- Identify, sponsor and deliver technology-led improvement programmes, leveraging automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital systems, data analytics and emerging technologies.
- Ensure warehouse, logistics and transport operations consistently deliver exceptional customer service while maintaining robust controls across inventory management, stock accuracy, product integrity, operational risk, food safety, quality, HACCP, health & safety and regulatory compliance.
- Proven experience operating at Director or Senior Leadership level within a complex operational, logistics, distribution, FMCG, food or similarly fast-paced environment.
- Significant experience managing operational P&L, budgets, cost control programmes and financial performance.
- Experience developing workforce strategies, labour planning models and recruitment plans aligned to changing operational demands and seasonal requirements.
- Legally compliant knowledge of transport operations with a current Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
- Strong understanding of warehouse operations, logistics, inventory management, distribution, stock control and end-to-end operational flow.
- Demonstrable experience identifying and implementing technology, automation, AI or digital solutions that improve operational capability and efficiency.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, quality management systems, health & safety and regulatory compliance.
- Experience within FMCG, fresh produce, foodservice, chilled distribution or food manufacturing.
- Experience leading warehouse expansion, operational integration, infrastructure development or major capital investment projects.
- Experience implementing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transport Management Systems (TMS), ERP platforms or other digital operational technologies.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Evidence of successfully leading large-scale business transformation or organisational growth programmes.
- Degree level (or higher) qualification in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or a related discipline.
- Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification is required.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Relevant leadership, logistics or operational excellence qualifications desirable.
- This role requires a highly visible, commercially focused operational leader who is equally comfortable developing long-term strategy and leading operational execution.
- The successful candidate will be expected to challenge existing practices, influence change and build a best-in-class operational function capable of supporting the organisation's long-term growth ambitions.
- Regular presence within operational areas is expected to maintain visibility, engagement and a detailed understanding of day-to-day performance.
- The role may require occasional travel between operational sites, customer locations, suppliers and strategic partners.
- Staff discount at Keelings Farm Shop and subsidized canteen
- Free On-site parking with access to electric chargers
- Wellness Initiatives such as wellness week
- People Matter
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Passion for Achievement
In Keelings we value all perspectives and knowledge that our colleagues bring to our business. We are committed to forming a diverse and inclusive team where all can share their unique experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all cultures and backgrounds and are dedicated to forming an environment of inclusiveness and diversity where all can thoroughly feel a sense of belonging.
If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know at recruitment_keelings@keelings.com
- 1. CV Submission & email acknowledgment of receipt
- 2. Phone Screening
- 3. 1st Interview
- 4. 2nd Interview
- 5. Outcome & Feedback
Keelings Careers - https://www.keelings.com/careers-keelings/
Keelings Strategy & Values – https://www.keelings.com/our-people/
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