Head of Warehousing Operations

Elevation Supply Chain & Logistics are delighted to be partnered with a growing Retail / Ecommerce organisation, with the search and selection of a Head of Operations for their Swindon based central distribution hub. A 12 months fixed term contract position, supporting the daily operational activity. Step into a pivotal leadership role where your operational expertise in warehousing, transport, and ecommerce distribution will directly shape service performance and customer experience. This fixed-term Head of Operations position offers the opportunity to stabilise, optimise and scale a multi-channel B2C operation, including 2-man home delivery and carrier-managed networks, during a critical period of growth and strategic network change and development. About the Role: As Head of Operations, you will take full ownership of day-to-day operational performance across warehousing, transport and retail/ecommerce distribution. You will lead the team of 100+ heads, to deliver robust service levels, cost efficiency and continuous improvement, ensuring all operational activities support commercial goals and customer commitments. Your impact will be measured through improved productivity, service reliability and effective management of key carrier and delivery partners. Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage end-to-end operations across warehousing, transport and B2C distribution to meet service, cost and quality targets.
• Oversee daily performance of ecommerce and retail fulfilment, ensuring accurate, timely order processing and dispatch.
• Direct and optimise 2-man home delivery operations, including route planning, resource allocation and service recovery.
• Manage carrier relationships and performance, ensuring SLAs are met and issues are escalated and resolved effectively.
• Drive operational planning, forecasting and capacity management to support peak trading and promotional activity.
• Implement and monitor KPIs across all operational areas, using data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Lead, coach and develop operational teams and first-line managers to maintain high engagement, safety and performance standards.
• Deliver and embed continuous improvement initiatives, process changes and system enhancements within tight fixed-term timelines. Key Requirements:
• Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role within warehousing, transport or distribution environments.
• Strong track record managing B2C ecommerce and retail distribution operations, including high-volume, fast-paced settings.
• Hands-on experience overseeing 2-man home delivery services and complex last-mile delivery models.
• Demonstrable expertise in carrier management, including performance monitoring, contract adherence and issue resolution.
• Solid understanding of operational KPIs, cost control and productivity improvement in logistics and fulfilment.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing through change on fixed-term or transformation assignments.
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to prioritise, delegate and deliver results under time constraints.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work closely with commercial and customer service teams. Desirable Skills:
• Experience in a multi-channel retail environment integrating store, ecommerce and home delivery operations.
• Background in implementing or optimising WMS/TMS or related logistics systems.
• Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma) within operational settings.
• Experience managing outsourced partners or third-party logistics providers.
• Previous involvement in operational transformation, stabilisation or turnaround projects. Qualifications:
• Degree-level education in logistics, supply chain management, business, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Professional qualifications in logistics, supply chain or operations management are advantageous.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership, operations or change management is beneficial. If you are an experienced operations leader ready to take ownership of a complex B2C distribution network on a fixed-term basis, we'd like to hear from you. Apply now to play a key role in driving performance and stability during a crucial period for the business.