Interim Head of Operations

Interim Operations Director

3-6 Month Executive Interim Assignment | Leicester

We are working with a successful and growing international business that is entering a significant period of operational transformation.

As the organisation continues to grow, it is reviewing and strengthening its operational model across supply chain, warehousing, logistics, inventory, manufacturing and customer fulfilment. Alongside this, the business is implementing a new ERP system, creating an opportunity to improve processes, strengthen operational governance and build a more scalable operating model.

We are seeking an experienced Interim Operations Director to provide senior, hands-on leadership and accelerate operational improvement across the business.

The Role

This is a senior leadership appointment with responsibility for driving operational performance and transformation across the organisation.

The successful candidate will take ownership of key operational functions including warehousing, inventory management, logistics, customer fulfilment, manufacturing, facilities and Health & Safety.

The assignment will run for approximately 3-6 months and will focus on quickly assessing the current operation, establishing clear priorities and delivering measurable improvements within a defined timeframe.

This is a delivery-focused interim assignment for an individual who can quickly establish credibility, identify opportunities, implement change and leave the operation in a stronger position.

Key Priorities

You will be expected to:

• Review the existing operating model, structure and operational capability.
• Develop and implement a focused operational improvement roadmap.
• Improve inventory accuracy and reduce working capital.
• Increase warehouse productivity and operational efficiency.
• Improve customer OTIF performance.
• Establish and strengthen S&OP processes.
• Review freight providers, transportation performance and costs.
• Strengthen operational KPI reporting and governance.
• Support operational readiness for the new ERP implementation.
• Develop the Operations leadership team and embed greater accountability.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the operation.
• Provide clear reporting and recommendations to the senior leadership team.

Measures of Success

The successful interim will be expected to deliver measurable improvements across areas including:

• OTIF / Customer Service
• Inventory accuracy and working capital
• Warehouse productivity and 5S
• Manufacturing performance, utilisation and yield
• Freight and transportation costs
• Operational cost base
• Health & Safety
• ERP implementation readiness
• Leadership capability
• Operational governance and KPI reporting

About You

We are looking for a proven Interim Operations Director / Operations Executive with a strong track record of delivering operational transformation within environments such as manufacturing, consumer products, retail, distribution or FMCG.

You will ideally have:

• Board-level or senior executive leadership experience.
• A proven track record delivering operational transformation.
• Strong end-to-end supply chain leadership experience.
• Extensive experience across warehousing, logistics and inventory.
• Manufacturing operations experience.
• Experience supporting or leading ERP implementations.
• Strong commercial and financial understanding.
• A track record of improving working capital and operational performance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to establish credibility quickly and deliver results within tight timescales.

Personal Style

We are looking for someone who is:

• Pragmatic and hands-on.
• Data-driven and commercially aware.
• Credible with senior leadership teams.
• Comfortable operating within a growing and entrepreneurial environment.
• Calm under pressure and decisive in their approach.
• Delivery-focused and able to move quickly from assessment to implementation.
• Collaborative and engaging.
• Passionate about developing people and improving operational capability.

About Cast UK

Cast UK is a leading executive consultancy, providing national recruitment solutions to both clients and candidates. Specialising in Business Change & Transformation, HR, Procurement, Buying, Supply Chain, and Logistics, each member of our specialist team has a professional background specific to their recruiting sector. With this unique insight and knowledge, our consultants are able to place individuals from trainee through to main board. For more information on Cast UK and a complete list of all of our current vacancies, please visit www.castuk.com

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