Head Of Operations

Deluxebase is an established and growing international toy and gift business supplying zoos, aquariums, museums, visitor attractions and retailers across the UK, Europe and North America.

As the business continues to grow, we are strengthening our senior management team and are looking for an experienced Head of Operations to take responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance of the company.

Reporting directly to the Joint Managing Directors, this is a broad senior management role covering the operational functions that take products from suppliers through to our customers.

The role

You will lead and improve the day-to-day operational performance of the business, working closely with managers across Purchasing & Logistics, Warehousing, Sales Administration, Product Development, IT and Finance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the day-to-day operational performance of the business.
• Providing senior management oversight across Purchasing & Logistics, Warehouse Operations and Sales Administration.
• Overseeing our UK warehouse and third-party logistics operation in the USA.
• Improving purchasing, stock, shipping, fulfilment and customer-service processes.
• Developing clear operational KPIs and management reporting.
• Driving better use of Odoo ERP and reducing unnecessary manual and spreadsheet-based processes.
• Leading cross-functional operational improvement projects.
• Improving accountability, workflows, deadlines and escalation processes across departments.
• Coordinating operational requirements for trade shows, showrooms, customised products and other key business projects.
• Working with the Joint Managing Directors to improve the management structure and reduce routine director involvement in operational issues.

A key part of the role will be developing the managers and teams beneath you, creating clear ownership and ensuring issues are properly followed through to completion.

The role will involve regular UK and international travel, including visits to overseas logistics partners, suppliers, trade fairs and operations. Candidates should be comfortable travelling several times a year, including occasional longer-haul trips.

About you

We are looking for an experienced operational leader with strong commercial judgement and a practical approach.

You are likely to have:

• Significant experience in operations, supply chain, distribution, wholesale, manufacturing or a product-based business.
• Experience managing multiple functions, managers or operational teams.
• Strong leadership, organisation and project-management skills.
• Experience improving processes, productivity and operational control.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Experience using ERP systems and management information.
• Experience working with warehouses, logistics providers and suppliers.
• The confidence to challenge inefficient processes and introduce better ways of working.

An engineering, manufacturing, lean/process-improvement or technical operations background would be advantageous, particularly where this has involved improving workflows, productivity, systems or operational efficiency.

Experience within importing, wholesale, consumer products, ecommerce or international distribution would also be particularly valuable.

Experience of Odoo would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why join Deluxebase?

Deluxebase is investing in its people, systems and management structure to support continued growth in the UK, Europe and North America.

This is not a narrow departmental role. It is an opportunity to become the senior operational leader within the business, reporting directly to the Joint Managing Directors and having a genuine influence over how the company develops.

Salary: competitive, from £50,000 depending on experience

The role is also expected to participate in the company’s management performance-bonus scheme once introduced, incorporating both Group EBITDA performance and role-specific operational objectives.