Head of Operations

1. Operational Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with the company's overall business objectives.
• Lead and manage the warehousing, distribution, and logistics teams to ensure the efficient operation of all facilities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

2.       Warehouse and Distribution Management:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the warehousing facilities, ensuring optimal space utilization and efficient inventory management.
• Implement and monitor warehouse and distribution KPIs such as productivity, accuracy, order fulfillment rates, and on-time delivery.
• Plan and manage resources to handle seasonal demand, new client onboarding, and any expansion of services.
• Ensure accurate inventory control processes and systems are in place, minimizing stock discrepancies and shrinkage.
• Develop efficient inbound and outbound processes to optimize receiving, storage, and dispatch.
• Source vendors and review their performance and benchmarking the rates to ensure we are competitive in the market

3.       Process Improvement & Automation:

• Identify and implement process improvements to drive operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality.
• Leverage technology and automation solutions to optimize warehousing and logistics operations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, such as Lean or Six Sigma projects, to enhance operational performance. 

4.       Customer Satisfaction:

• Ensure that customer orders are processed and delivered on time with high accuracy and quality.
• Work closely with the sales and relevant teams to address customer needs to ensure that warehousing services are meeting customer needs and resolve pro-actively any operational issues.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to service levels and make adjustments to operations as needed.
• Act as the primary contact for major clients in relation to operational issues, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate with other departments such as finance, HR, and IT to ensure seamless support of operational activities

5.       Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Provide regular training and development opportunities to ensure the team is up-to-date with industry best practices and technology.
• Manage performance reviews, succession planning, and workforce planning for the operations team.

6.       Budgeting & Financial Management:

• Develop and manage the operations budget, ensuring cost control while meeting service level agreements.
• Monitor operational expenses and implement strategies to reduce costs without compromising service quality.
• Collaborate with the finance department to forecast future operational costs and revenue contributions from the operations team.

7.       Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure compliance with all safety, legal, and regulatory standards, including OSHA, health, and environmental standards.
• Promote a culture of safety within the team, ensuring all staff are trained on best practices and adhering to warehousing policies and procedures, including product handling and storage regulations.
• Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety protocols, conducting regular audits, and ensuring staff are trained on safety procedures

8.       Integration of Operational Objectives with Project Management

• Accountable for overseeing and managing all aspects of multiple project workflows, ensuring timely and successful completion aligned with operational implementation plans.
• Establishment of comprehensive project plans, defined tasks, resource allocation, and clear ownership to ensure all milestones are delivered on schedule for multiple projects 

9.        Project Implementation

• Plan and execute new warehouse setups, system integration or operational transitions and, designing efficient warehouse processes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment and endorsement of project and operational activities.
• Recruit and train staff, ensuring compliance, and supporting operations during go-live.
• Post implementation, the focus shift to monitoring performance, ensuring smooth handover, and driving continuous improvement

Qualifications:

• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to drive performance and foster collaboration.
• Ability to develop and execute operational strategies that align with business objectives.
• Expertise in identifying operational inefficiencies and implementing continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and other logistics-related software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for both internal teams and external stakeholders. A customer-first mindset, ensuring warehousing operations meet or exceed client expectations
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of resolving complex operational challenges.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in warehousing, distribution, logistics, or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale warehousing operations.
• Experience with implementing process improvements, automation, or technology solutions in a warehousing environment
• Certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or Supply Chain (e.g., APICS, CSCP) are highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Operations Management, Business Administration or a related field