Chief operating officer

Chief Operating Officer – Logistics

£100,000-120,000 + bonus + LTIP

North West

An outstanding opportunity to join a privately backed, ambitious logistics group – growing through the acquisition and integration of high-quality owner-managed businesses across warehousing, transport, freight forwarding and customs clearance.

This is not a corporate caretaker role - this is an opportunity for an ambitious operational leader to help build a significant UK logistics group from the ground up — shaping the operating model, leading integrations, driving performance and ultimately helping create a business of real scale and value.

We are looking for someone who has already proven themselves inside a fast-moving logistics operation and is now ready for a broader, more influential leadership role. For the right individual, this is a genuine step-up opportunity.

The Role

Working directly with the investor group and founders of acquired businesses, you will lead the operational integration and performance improvement programme across multiple acquisitions over the next 24 months.

You will be heavily involved from pre-acquisition through to post-deal execution:

• Assessing operational quality and integration readiness
• Embedding consistent operational and reporting disciplines
• Driving warehouse, transport and systems optimisation
• Supporting WMS / TMS implementation and process standardisation
• Identifying commercial synergies and cross-selling opportunities
• Building scalable operational infrastructure for future growth

This role is highly execution-focused. You will spend time on-site with acquired businesses, working directly with operators, depot managers and founders to improve performance and create a unified platform.

What We’re Looking For

We expect this opportunity to appeal to an ambitious:

• Divisional MD
• Operations Director
• Regional Operations Director
• Head of Operations
• Multi-site General Manager

…who understands logistics operationally and commercially, and wants the opportunity to play a major role in building something significant.

You are likely to bring:

• Strong multi-site logistics operations experience
• Exposure to warehousing, transport and/or 3PL operations
• Experience improving operational performance and KPIs
• Strong commercial and financial awareness
• Credibility with operators and founders alike
• Experience implementing operational systems and processes
• High levels of accountability, resilience and pace

The Individual

This role requires someone who:

• Enjoys solving operational problems
• Can make decisions quickly and pragmatically
• Thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments
• Wants genuine responsibility and influence
• Is excited by growth, integration and value creation
• Has the ambition to grow into a major leadership role over time

The Opportunity

• High-profile buy-and-build growth programme
• Significant operational influence from day one
• Direct exposure to investors and board-level decision making
• Equity participation opportunity
• Clear long-term growth potential
• Entrepreneurial, non-corporate culture