Operations & Fulfilment Manager

Operations & Fulfilment Manager

Location: Office-based (flexible hours available post‑probation)

Salary including Bonus

Hours: Full-time, permanent

Reports: 1 direct report initially, with scope to build a small team

Package: Contributory pension

A Role with Genuine Progression to Head of Operations

This is a rare opportunity to step into a role designed to grow. You will take full ownership of the order‑to‑delivery operation, build the foundations of a scalable fulfilment function, and — as the business expands — progress into leading a larger team, owning supplier and stock management, and becoming a future Head of Operations.

About the Company

We supply specialist fixtures and components to customers across the UK, backed by technical support. The business is growing rapidly and investing in automated quoting, a new website and an expanded product range. To support this growth, we are creating a hands‑on Operations Manager role that will quickly evolve into a broader leadership position.

About the Role

You will run the entire fulfilment operation — from confirmed sales order through procurement, goods‑in, QC and dispatch — ensuring every order goes out complete, correct and on time, first time. You will design and embed SOPs, drive automation, improve supplier performance, and build a small operations team as the business scales.

This role releases director time, reduces dependency on individuals, and creates a robust, repeatable operational engine.

Key Responsibilities

Order Processing & Procurement

• Refine and validate sales orders before procurement

• Generate and issue purchase orders

• Place orders via supplier portals using full technical specifications

• Check supplier confirmations, update costs, set due dates and record references

• Proactively chase suppliers to ensure realistic and met lead times

Goods-In, Quality Control & Dispatch

• Coordinate inbound deliveries from multiple suppliers

• Consolidate components and complete structured, photographed QC checks

• Pack, seal and dispatch orders; manage carriers and delivery bookings

• Own the OTIF metric; root‑cause and resolve late, short or incorrect deliveries

• Reduce post‑delivery issues through improved checks, packaging and supplier performance

Process, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Write, maintain and embed SOPs across all product lines

• Identify and implement automation/system improvements to remove manual steps

• Improve hand-offs between Sales, Technical and Operations

• Contribute to ISO 9001 readiness

People & Management

• Line-manage the General Administrator; set objectives and coach performance

• Recruit and onboard additional operations staff as the business grows

• Sit on the management team; report performance, risks and improvement plans

Measures of Success

• OTIF delivery rate at or above target

• Reduction in post‑delivery issues

• SOPs documented and embedded within six months

• Reduced director involvement in day‑to‑day operations

• Accurate supplier lead times and maintained cost accuracy

Bonus is split equally across OTIF, post‑delivery issues and SOP completion, with targets agreed annually.

Person Specification

Essential

Strong distribution/fulfilment background in a multi‑supplier environment

Proven OTIF delivery improvement

Experience writing and embedding SOPs

Comfortable with ERP/order‑management systems and supplier portals

Quality‑focused with experience running QC checks and root‑cause analysis

Hands‑on and willing to personally run the operation initially

Line‑management experience

Clear, organised communicator able to challenge and be accountable

Desirable

Electrical, M&E or engineering background, or the aptitude to become technically fluent

Exposure to ISO 9001 or similar quality systems

Experience in a growing, owner‑managed SME

Progression Path

Year 1: Own fulfilment end‑to‑end and build the operational foundation. Beyond: Lead a growing team, take ownership of supplier and stock management, and progress towards Head of Operations as the business expands