We are looking for a commercially minded Group Operations Director to lead end-to-end operational activities, ensuring the safe, efficient and cost effective flow of goods from supplier through to customer. This role will be accountable for all operational functions including procurement of raw materials, production planning, manufacturing, goods-in, inventory management, fulfilment and outbound logistics. and help drive the next phase of growth.
As a senior member of the Leadership Team, you will work collaboratively across the business to develop operational strategy, improve organisational capability and ensure the business has scalable operations that support both current performance and future growth.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Develop and execute the Group Operations strategy aligned with the Company's commercial and growth objectives.
- Take full accountability for all operational activities across procurement, planning, goods in, manufacturing, inventory management, warehousing, fulfilment and outbound logistics.
- Ensure the business consistently delivers agreed customer service levels across all sales channels.
- Lead sales and operations planning processes to ensure effective forecasting, capacity planning and inventory optimisation.
- Oversee the procurement of raw materials, packaging, ensuring security of supply whilst delivering cost efficiencies.
- Develop supplier relationships and monitor supplier performance against agreed service, quality and cost targets.
- Oversee manufacturing operations, ensuring production, productivity, quality, safety and delivery targets are consistently achieved.
- Ensure sufficient operational capacity exists to support changing customer demand whilst maintaining efficient utilisation of labour, equipment and facilities.
- Manage the movement of inventory from Goods In through to customer dispatch, ensuring robust controls are in place to maintain inventory accuracy, minimise losses and optimise warehouse efficiency.
- Implement effective inventory management strategies, maintaining agreed stock availability whilst reducing obsolete inventory and improving stock turn.
- Develop warehouse layout, storage capacity and material flow to maximise operational efficiency.
- Ensure all customer orders are fulfilled accurately, efficiently and within agreed service level agreements.
- Manage outbound logistics providers to deliver cost effective, compliant and reliable transport services.
- Ensure Dangerous Goods requirements, commodity codes and shipping compliance are maintained where applicable.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all operational functions, embedding automation and best practice methodologies.
- Identify and implement improvements in technology, systems and automation that improve productivity, visibility and operational performance.
- Develop operational KPIs and reporting to provide clear performance visibility across all operational departments.
- Own the Operations budget, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and maximise return on operational investment.
- Lead operational due diligence, integration and implementation activities for acquisitions and new business initiatives.
- Ensure robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are maintained across all operational activities.
- Implement policies and procedures to ensure the Company continues to meet and exceed standards of regulatory compliance, Health & Safety, environmental legislation and corporate governance.
- Provide effective leadership, coaching and development across all operational management teams, creating a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration between Operations, Commercial, Finance, Quality, IT and Customer Service to ensure alignment across the business.
- Be an active and influential member of the Leadership Team, contributing to wider business strategy and organisational development.
- Take responsibility for Company Health & Safety, ensuring safe systems of work are maintained across all operational activities.
What we are looking for:
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience within Manufacturing, Supply Chain or Operations Management.
- Significant senior leadership experience operating within a fast-paced FMCG, manufacturing or distribution environment.
- Proven experience leading large multi-functional operational teams.
- Demonstrable experience managing manufacturing, supply chain, warehousing and fulfilment operations.
- Strong understanding of inventory management, production planning and operational resource management.
- Proven ability to develop and implement operational strategy.
- Strong commercial and financial awareness with experience managing operational budgets and analysing key performance indicators.
- Experience managing operational change, automation and business transformation projects.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence at Executive level.
- Excellent organisational, analytical and decision-making skills.
- High level of competence across ERP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Microsoft Office and operational reporting tools.
- Preferred experience managing operational integration following acquisitions.
- Preferred knowledge of Dangerous Goods regulaions and warehouse compliance requirements.
If you’re ready to lead operations at scale and make a visible impact, we’d love to hear from you.
We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to our team.
Flavour Warehouse is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
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Work Location: In person
