Head of OperationsWidnes, Cheshire
Full-Time | Senior Leadership Role
£80,000 - £100,000 + Profit Share + Benefits
The OpportunityI'm recruiting exclusively on behalf of a rapidly scaling UK-based group operating across marine, onsite and wholesale distribution, currently turning over £9.5-£10m with a clearly defined ambition to reach £40m by 2030.
This is a critical, newly created leadership role designed to bring operational rigour, structure and scalability into the business. The organisation is commercially strong, sales-led and entrepreneurial — what's needed now is a senior operational leader who can strip back, rebuild and future-proof operations without disrupting momentum.
You will operate as a standalone operational silo, Initially reporting to the commercial director, with full autonomy to design systems, set KPIs and drive delivery across production, warehousing, logistics and international supply chains.
This role is not about maintaining the status quo — it's about doing the extraordinary.
Key Objectives (12-24 month horizon)
Scale operational capability in line with aggressive growth plans
Improve DIFOT performance from 91% to 96%+, with international shipments targeted at 100%
Reduce project lead times to 2 weeks
Implement scalable systems across manufacturers, warehouses and logistics
Strengthen the relationship between sales and operations
Create structure without slowing the business down What You'll Be Accountable ForOperational Leadership
End-to-end ownership of operations across UK and international sites
Oversight of multiple warehouses (including Europe) and subcontract manufacturers
Direct management of warehouse leadership and operational teams Production & Supply Chain
Managing 3-4 key manufacturing partners (with 10-12 factory-based personnel)
Production planning, forecasting and component control
JIT / Lean principles where appropriate
Oversight of technical specification checks (technical team to transfer into role) Logistics, Customs & Compliance
Full responsibility for import/export operations and international delivery systems
Customs documentation, commercial invoices and shipment control
ISO, H&S and project delivery compliance Systems & Process Improvement
Strip back legacy processes and rebuild scalable, joined-up systems
ERP / supply chain system optimisation
Stock control, purchasing, dispatch and delivery performance
KPI setting, reporting and accountability frameworks This is a hands-on leadership role — you will be expected to roll your sleeves up where required while still operating at a strategic level.
The Profile That Will SucceedThis role will suit someone who is:
Humble, hungry and smart — no ego, high accountability
Solutions-focused, pragmatic and resilient
Customer-focused mindset that is willing to do the extraordinary
Comfortable challenging the norm and "taking the bull by the horns"
Calm under pressure with ability to work with other colleagues to demanding deadlines
Commercially aware and deeply operationally credible Experience & Capability
Senior operations leadership within manufacturing, wholesale or distribution
Strong background in metalwork / engineering / manufacturing environments
Proven experience managing subcontract manufacturers
Deep understanding of import/export, customs and international logistics
Track record of scaling operations in fast-growth businesses
Systems-led, data-driven and IT savvy (Excel competence beneficial) You won't be fazed by complexity, ambiguity or hard work — you'll thrive on it.
What's on Offer
£80,000 - £100,000 base salary (DOE)
Profit share bonus
Company vehicle
Private medical insurance
Laptop and phone
25 days holiday + bank holidays
On-site parking
Autonomy, influence and genuine board-level exposure
The opportunity to architect operations in a business with serious growth ambition Working Pattern
Core hours: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Flexibility required to meet operational demandsIND25