Role: Operations Director
Location: Cumbria
Salary: Circa £85,000
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Operations Director to lead and deliver the company’s operational strategy across a complex, multi-functional environment. This is a critical senior leadership role, responsible for ensuring safe, efficient and fully compliant end-to-end operations.
As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will play a central role in shaping business performance, driving operational excellence and supporting sustainable growth. This role will suit a commercially astute and hands‑on leader who thrives in fast‑paced environments and can balance strategic direction with operational execution.
You will be responsible for creating and embedding a clear operational vision, leading high‑performing teams, and ensuring compliance with all relevant UK legislation, including Health & Safety and food safety standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and deliver the company’s operational strategy to drive efficiency, scalability and excellent customer service
- Take full accountability for operational performance across the site, from goods in through to dispatch and logistics
- Own and manage the operational budget, ensuring strong cost control, productivity and alignment with wider business objectives
- Lead, coach and develop operational leadership teams, building capability and driving performance
- Embed a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement and operational excellence
- Establish and maintain robust operational processes, standards and KPIs across all functions
- Ensure full compliance with UK legislation, including Health & Safety, food safety, employment law and transport regulations
- Act as the senior lead for Health & Safety, Quality Assurance and compliance, promoting a proactive safety‑first culture
- Monitor and improve operational performance through data analysis, reporting and continuous improvement initiatives
- Work collaboratively with SLT colleagues to align operational delivery with overall business strategy
- Manage operational risk, including contingency planning and incident response
- Drive engagement and communication across teams, ensuring alignment with business goals
- Contribute actively at SLT level to strategic decision‑making and overall business direction
About You
- Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role within a complex, multi‑functional environment
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, driving efficiencies and improving performance
- In‑depth understanding of supply chain, logistics and distribution operations
- Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks, including Health & Safety and food safety standards (e.g. HACCP)
- Data‑driven mindset with the ability to interpret KPIs and translate insights into action
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
- A visible and credible leader who leads by example and builds trust across teams
- Strong coaching mindset with a passion for developing people and building capability
- Resilient, decisive and able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment
- Pragmatic, solutions‑focused and committed to continuous improvement
- Passionate about fostering an inclusive, respectful and high‑performing workplace culture
- Customer‑focused with a strong service mindset
Experience
- Demonstrable experience in a senior operations leadership role (e.g. Operations Director or Head of Operations)
- Experience within FMCG, logistics or a closely related sector is highly desirable
- Proven track record of delivering operational strategy and driving performance improvement
- Experience leading large, multi‑functional teams across complex operations
- Strong experience in compliance, Health & Safety and quality standards
- Previous experience operating at Senior Leadership Team level and contributing to business‑wide strategy
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