Senior Operations Leader - Transformation & Growth

Key Highlights

• Lead operational strategy across a market-leading, family-run business
• Drive large-scale change, process improvement, and business transformation
• Senior leadership opportunity with the ability to genuinely shape the future direction of the business

About the Company

Our client is a long-established, family-run market leader operating within the hospitality and commercial catering sector. With over a century of history, they have built an excellent reputation for quality, service, and long-term customer relationships. Supporting customers across the UK, the business continues to experience strong growth and has ambitious plans for future expansion.

Role Overview

This is a high-impact leadership position where you'll take responsibility for the operational performance of a sizeable national function, overseeing multiple sites and large teams while implementing strategic improvements across the business.

Reporting into senior leadership, you'll inherit an established operation but will be encouraged to bring fresh ideas, challenge existing processes, and drive meaningful change. The business is specifically looking for someone with a forward-thinking approach who can leverage technology, process improvements, and modern systems to create efficiencies and support future growth.

This role is primarily office-based at the company headquarters, with occasional travel across UK sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational strategy and performance across multiple UK locations
• Manage and develop operational teams through direct reports and wider leadership teams
• Oversee operational performance across teams totalling approximately 150 employees
• Identify, develop, and implement continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive process improvements, efficiencies, and operational best practices
• Support technology adoption and modernisation initiatives across the business
• Create and deliver improvement projects from concept through to implementation
• Monitor operational KPIs and performance metrics
• Work closely with senior leadership to support business objectives and future growth plans
• Visit regional sites where required to maintain operational standards and support teams

Key Requirements

• Strong background within logistics, warehouse management, or operational leadership environments
• Previous experience operating at a senior management level with responsibility for 100+ employees
• Demonstrable experience leading large teams and managing through multiple levels of leadership
• Experience driving operational improvements and business change initiatives
• Strong understanding of technology, systems, and modern operational practices
• Strategic thinker with a hands on approach when required
• Strong leadership, communication, and people management skills
• Motivational leadership style with the ability to bring teams with you through change
• Comfortable travelling between operational sites when required

Package

• Salary: Approx. £100,000
• Bonus: Up to £30,000 (individual KPI-based)
• Pension scheme
• Flexible working hours (typically 8:30am-5:00pm)
• Opportunity to influence business strategy at senior leadership level
• Long-term stability within an established and growing organisation
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ideal Candidate Location

Commutable to Orpington with flexibility to travel occasionally across the UK.