Job Purpose
The US Operations Director is a pivotal role within the Leadership Team. The operational function is
at the heart of everything we do. We are on a mission to transform our operations, introducing
more and more warehouse automation and reducing our carbon footprint as we grow. We are
looking for an experienced senior leader with bags of knowledge regarding lean warehouse
operations, automation, logistics, health and safety and high energy levels who wants to play an
integral part in a purpose-led business.
This role will have overall accountability for the day to day running and strategic transformation of
our United States fulfilment center.
Responsible for managing financials, 300+ colleagues, and central to helping us spread the love of
reading to over 20 million people around the world each year, this role is a great opportunity for
someone looking to bring their skills and experience to help us grow global re-commerce and to
further improve the sustainability of the book industry.
Key responsibilities
Lead a warehouse team of ~300, creating efficient ways of working, a culture that people want
to be part of and offering genuine career prospects for all.
Oversee the day-to-day excellence of our US warehousing operations, handling 150k item
movements per day.
Oversee the design and delivery of our US Operations transformation programme, delivering
$1m per annum, including process and system optimization, introducing warehouse
automation to reduce manual working, improve the customer experience, and reduce cost per
unit.
Sponsor our US WMS Product Team to deliver warehouse automation and technology solutions
that help us to become a global leader in recommerce.
Transform our operational ways of working through the implementation of lean six sigma
methodologies.
Oversee the procurement and management of postage and carrier contracts.
Sponsor a range of large-scale operational programs and projects requiring multi-milliondollar
capital investments, working closely with the central Program Management Office to
develop clear business cases, project plans, and effective project governance.
Work in partnership with the Finance Team to oversee the development of complex operational
budgets, accurately forecasting spend and activity levels, and being accountable for delivering
against them.
Manage relationships with senior stakeholders across a range of third-party suppliers including
logistics partners, postage carriers, automation, M&E, facilities management, recruitment, and
waste recycling.
Champion a safe and healthy working environment across all our sites.
Create a fun, engaging and transparent culture, relentlessly trialling new ways to engage and
excite our operational teams.
Challenge everything we do today…literally everything…and find ways in which we can be better
for our customers, our colleagues and our local communities.
Skills and Experience
We are looking for someone who is passionate about people, continuous improvement, and the
use of technology to make operations work more effectively. Here are a few of the key traits we are
especially interested in for this role:
You are a natural born leader, self-aware, and role-model that inspire others to reach higher.
You are a strategic thinker, having the capability to research and analyze data to shape sound
strategic plans.
· You have a high level of commercial acumen and are confident in business financials,
management accounts, and budgeting.
You embrace technology and are passionate about creating tech-enable operations.
Your verbal and written communication skills are awesome. You can communicate with people
at all levels, both inside and outside the organization.
You demonstrate commitment, attention to detail and a strong work ethic .
You have a high degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to build broad and trusted
relationships.
You are not afraid to constructively challenge individuals and will stand up for your own
reasoned beliefs and values.
You are a great listener, proactively inviting feedback and curious to hear the ideas of others.
You are naturally curious with a love of problem-solving and a strong personal drive.
You care about the environment and are passionate about playing your part in a low-carbon
future.
Your energy levels are off the chart.
Experience
Degree-educated
5 years proven experience of working at a Senior Management level within a large warehousing
and logistics operation.
Experience of implementing and working with warehouse automation technologies.
Strong Lean Six Sigma background with relevant certifications.
Sound knowledge of technological trends relevant to warehousing.
Experience of managing complex budgets, spend forecasting, and budget reconciliation.
Proven senior leadership skills and a track record of building high-performing operations
teams.
Experience of managing both in-house and outsourced operations.
Experience of managing domestic and international postage partner relationships.