Head of Operations

Head of Operations | Potters Bar | Full-Time, On-Site We're looking for an experienced Head of Operations to join the senior leadership team of a growing UK food import and distribution business. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who knows how to get the best out of people, create accountability, embrace technology and bring structure to a fast-paced growing business. You'll take ownership across a broad range of operational functions, helping departments work more effectively together while developing managers and teams, strengthening processes and improving overall business performance. Importantly, we're looking for someone who is genuinely hands-on with AI and technology. You won't simply oversee AI projects or delegate them to others — you should be confident using AI tools yourself, setting up AI-powered systems and workflows, and identifying practical opportunities to automate and improve how the business operates. What you'll be responsible for

• Leading, coaching and developing managers and team members
• Creating a high-performance culture with clear accountability
• Overseeing multiple operational functions and improving collaboration between departments
• Strengthening financial controls, including cash flow, credit control and operational cost management
• Developing and embedding SOPs, training programmes and operational documentation
• Building meaningful KPI dashboards and management reporting
• Personally using and implementing AI tools, automations and AI-enabled workflows across the business
• Identifying repetitive or inefficient processes that can be improved or automated using AI
• Setting up practical AI systems that improve productivity, reporting, decision-making and operational efficiency
• Leading process improvement, operational projects and business change
• Ensuring the operation remains organised, compliant and scalable as the business grows
• Contributing to the senior leadership team and helping shape the company's long-term strategy Who we're looking for Your leadership experience matters more to us than the industry you've worked in. You'll have a strong track record of leading people at different levels, improving individual and team performance, and creating an environment where people are engaged, accountable and consistently deliver results. You'll also be comfortable getting hands-on with technology and AI. We're not looking for someone who simply manages an IT team or asks others to implement new systems. You should be someone who enjoys experimenting with technology, can personally build and configure AI-driven workflows and solutions, and understands how to turn AI into practical improvements in the day-to-day running of a business. You don't need to be a software developer, but you should be technically confident, curious and capable of taking an AI or automation idea from concept through to a working solution. You'll enjoy solving problems, implementing structure and taking ownership. You'll be comfortable making decisions, addressing underperformance when necessary and putting systems in place that allow a growing business to scale. What's on offer
• Competitive salary
• Performance-related bonus
• Significant autonomy and responsibility
• The opportunity to genuinely shape how the business operates
• A seat on the senior leadership team
• The opportunity to introduce and implement new technology and AI across the business
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on a growing business Location: Potters Bar Working pattern: Full-time, on-site Salary: Competitive + performance-related bonus