About Chemist4U
Chemist4U is one of the UK's largest online pharmacies, making medicines, expert advice, and everyday health essentials easier to access than ever. We're redefining modern healthcare, with a fast-growing, innovative team, we deliver trusted pharmacy care straight to our customers' doors.
Join us and be part of a company that's transforming healthcare and making a real difference every day.
Our purpose
Making medication and care faster, simpler and safer so people stay well for longer.
Our mission
Empower everyone to take control of their health by providing world class technology and pharmacy services.
Our values
Collaboration
Integrity
Positivity
Growth
Customer centricity
We simplify processes and medication management by leveraging cutting-edge technology and empowering our team. Whether through seamless online services or expert support, we ensure reliable and hassle-free healthcare so our customers can focus on their well-being.
About the role
Reporting to: CEO & COO
Job type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive
Working Pattern & Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: On-Site (Dispensing Hub located: Lancashire, WN8)
As Operations Director at Chemist4U, you'll take ownership of our day-to-day operations, strengthening the foundations that enable us to deliver an exceptional customer experience at scale. You'll lead operations across fulfilment, supply chain and procurement, making sure we deliver a reliable, high-quality service to our customers while continuing to improve how we work.
Working closely with the CEO, CTO, Superintendent Pharmacist and COO, you'll play a central role in shaping and delivering our operational strategy. This is a hands-on leadership position with broad exposure across the business, ideal for a senior operations leader ready to step up, broaden their strategic impact, and have a clear line of sight across the whole operation.
The role is designed as a natural progression opportunity, offering the scope, responsibility and visibility to develop into a future COO position over time. You'll gain end-to-end oversight of operations, contribute to long-term planning, and help scale a fast-growing, purpose-led healthcare organisation making a tangible impact on both performance and patient outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
The Operations Director will be responsible for the following key focus areas:
Operational Leadership
Lead day-to-day Chemist4U operations: prescription processing, dispensing, fulfilment, logistics, and customer services.
Design and optimise workflows to improve speed, accuracy, efficiency, and scale.
Implement automation, robotics, and optimisation tools to improve throughput and reduce cost‑to‑serve.
Own operational KPIs including order accuracy, on-time delivery, turnaround time, and cost per order.
Supply Chain & Medicines Procurement
Oversee wholesale partnerships, supplier negotiations, and procurement strategy for all medicines and products.
Ensure stock availability through demand forecasting, expiry control, and proactive management of shortages.
Strengthen supply chain resilience to support Chemist4U growth and service reliability.
Regulatory & Governance Oversight
Ensure operations meet GPhC, MHRA, GDPR and other regulatory requirements.
Support the Superintendent Pharmacist in maintaining clinical governance and audit readiness.
Ensure robust SOP adherence, controlled drug compliance, and safety protocols.
Technology & Process Automation
Collaborate with the CTO to deliver technology enhancements supporting operational scale.
Implement workflow automation, robotics, dispensing optimisation, and prescriber API integrations.
Drive adoption of digital tools that enhance patient experience and internal efficiency.
Logistics & Delivery Excellence
Develop and optimise nationwide delivery models aligned to Chemist4U's service commitments.
Manage courier partners and ensure reliable delivery performance including cold-chain compliance.
Oversee resolution of delivery issues and continuous improvement of delivery success rates.
Strategic Execution
Translate Chemist4U's growth strategy into measurable operational plans.
Lead organisational scaling including facilities, automation, people, and processes.
Support expansion of service lines such as private prescribing, NHS services, and new product categories.
People Leadership
Build and develop high-performing teams across operations, fulfilment, and customer service.
Implement workforce planning, leadership development, and performance management frameworks.
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient‑first values.
Financial Management
Manage operational budgets and collaborate with the CFO on forecasting and cost management.
Improve Chemist4U unit economics through efficient operational design and cost optimisation.
Risk Management
Identify and mitigate operational, clinical, supply chain, and data risks.
Oversee business continuity plans, incident management, and root-cause.
About You:
You're an experienced operational leader with a proven record of driving performance in complex, regulated environments. You're looking for a role where you can make a bigger impact, take on more strategic responsibility, and continue growing as a leader. You thrive on optimising end-to-end operations and confident leading high-performing teams, strengthening supply chains, and working closely with technology and clinical leaders to deliver safe, efficient, and patient-first services. You'll be confident managing KPIs, budgets, and risk, turning strategy into practical action and driving improvements quickly and effectively.
Qualifications & Experience:
The successful Operations Director will need to possess the following skills and experience:
Essential
Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations/Supply Chain (or related)
Senior leadership experience across Operations/CX/Supply Chain/Procurement in high-growth environments
Proven track record in process improvement, cost optimisation, and stakeholder leadership
Familiarity with ERP/automation/data analytics platforms.
Desirable
Professional certifications: Lean Six Sigma, Prince2, APICS (or equivalent)
Experience in pharmacy, healthcare, or other regulated industries.
Company Benefits:
Working with an NHS-focused organisation means doing work that truly matters, every day, you'll help make a real, positive impact on the lives of patients across the UK and Ireland. And that's just the start. We also offer:
Discounted gym membership
Funded training
Enhanced Maternity & Paternity
Holiday entitlement is 33 days, including three fixed days for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. All remaining days are flexible
Health & Wellbeing benefits
Sick Pay Scheme
Blue light card membership is available
Free seasonal flu vaccination
Regular social events.