Operations

**Operations Manager - Grays**
**£45,000 - £50,000 per annum (includes £5,688 per annum car allowance)**

At Smiths News we are a PLC business where every employee makes a difference and has a chance to make an impact. Our history carries through to our 21st century operations, where our values of Creative, Fair, Friendly, Open, Quick and Trusted are as true for our customers as they are for our employees. If you want to work for a business where you’re valued, trusted and empowered to develop - we’re the business for you

Reporting into the General Managerr as the Operations Manager you will be responsible for leading the 24/7 operation, consisting of up to 100 colleagues, ensuring productivity, quality control and safety measures are met whilst delivering excellence against our operational scorecard.

**What you’ll do**:

- Oversee the operation (Distribution, Transport and Reverse Logistics)
- Lead, manage and review operational requirements with the Warehouse Managers
- Provide operational recommendations and updates to strategic plans and reviews; devise and implement related action plans.
- Implement productivity, quality, and customer-service related key performance indicators (KPI) by embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
- Forecast requirements and manage expenditures in line with agreed budgetary constraints.
- Identifying potential in the team and self, ensuring relevant development plans are in place in line with the Talent Management Strategy.
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with publishers and key stakeholders in order to effectively communicate and resolve queries and issues relating to the distribution.
- Maintain the Company’s health, safety and security standards whilst ensuring that standard operating procedures are adhered to.
- Deputising for the Hub Manager**.**

**What we can offer you**:
Not only do we offer 4x salary life assurance, 5% match pension and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays but you’ll also have access to:

- Competitive salary and £5,688 per annum car allowance
- 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
- Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Tastecard, Health cash plan
- Private medical insurance
- Leisure discounts; Gym, holidays and theme parks
- Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme
- Free onsite parking

**About you**:

- Previous experience within a time sensitive FMCG / Logistic / Distribution environment, leading a complex operation and multi-million pound budget
- Proven experience of managing change and initiating service, efficiency & operational improvements whilst maintaining objectives and KPIs
- Proven experience of managing, motivating, and developing colleagues to cultivate a high performance culture.
- Solutions focused mind-set with the ability to delegate and challenge where appropriate.
- Displays enthusiasm and drive for achieving high operational standards by empowering the team.
- Financially astute, commercially aware and able to deliver strategies and initiatives that deliver operational and commercial gain.

**About us**

Smiths News is the UK’s largest news wholesaler. Our colleagues serve 24,000 retailers every day of the year, operating from 37 distribution centres. Service and efficiency put us at the forefront of our industry and with 55% market share we are the leading player in one of the world’s fastest moving supply chains. Inclusion and diversity is a key part of our culture. Through our Everyone In initiative, we’re working together to build a more inclusive and diverse workplace and shape a culture that embraces people from all backgrounds, experiences and orientations.