Operations Manager, beauty brand

Operations Manager, beauty brand

• Up to £40,000 Hybrid
• 2 days in Northampton, Midlands-based
• Flexible working

We are working with a creative beauty brand, that supplies its products to leading retailers worldwide. They are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Operations Manager to drive efficiency across their sales operations, logistics, and customer service processes.

This role is ideal for a proactive and commercially minded person who is looking to take ownership of critical operational functions. You will oversee supply chain logistics, warehouse operations, and customer fulfilment strategies, ensuring the seamless execution of end-to-end processes. Your ability to manage relationships with key stakeholders, implement process improvements, and drive operational excellence will be instrumental in supporting the company’s continued growth.

If you have a strong background in wholesale operations management within the consumer goods industry, experience in working with major retailers, and a passion for optimising supply chain efficiency, this role could be the perfect next step in your career.

Responsibilities:

Sales Operations

• Oversee the end-to-end sales operation process, from sales entry to order delivery, ensuring all orders meet required specifications and are invoiced correctly.
• Manage onboarding processes for new customers, assessing compliance requirements and implementing streamlined logistics solutions.
• Remote responsibility for the daily operations of the UK warehouse (visiting 2 times a week) ensuring efficiency and smooth order fulfilment, optimising performance and maintaining strong, adaptable relationships that consistently deliver high service standards.
• Manage tracking systems, including tracker reports, new goods QC checks, packing specifications, and batch code traceability, to uphold stringent quality control standards.
• Drive improvements in order fulfilment times, reducing standard processing from three days to one day and enhancing efficiency for complex customer orders.
• Coordinate the arrival of inbound shipments, conducting quality control checks and ensuring adherence to compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Responsibilities for the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in alignment with ERP systems to increase order processing efficiency.
• Investigate and resolve underlying causes of customer fines, reducing penalties while improving overall customer satisfaction and service levels.
• Foster relationships with UK and global freight forwarders to optimise cost-efficiency and expedite lead times, enhancing supply chain performance.
• Ensure accurate shipping documentation and compliance with importing country regulations, reducing risk of shipment delays or rejections.
• Working with the wider team to manage a comprehensive demand planning strategy, aligning forecasts with product launches, promotions, and trading periods, adjusting forecasts proactively.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key point of contact for operational queries, ensuring excellent service for retail and distribution partners, including national retailers.
• Support customer accounts by ensuring high service levels, timely deliveries, and proactive problem resolution.
• Provide critical insights into operational risks and mitigation strategies to senior leadership, ensuring continuous improvement initiatives.
• Organise and lead weekly trading meetings, delivering key reports on orders, stock levels, and operational risks to company Directors and Finance teams.

Previous Experience & Additional Responsibilities

• Must have overseen operations of high-value sales order fulfilment, and liaised with major retail accounts such as Boots, Superdrug, ensuring OTIF (On Time in Full) deliveries.
• Implemented customer delivery procedures, ensuring compliance with supplier manuals and logistical requirements.
• Led made-to-order project management for major retailers, coordinating production, quality control, and delivery processes.
• Worked closely with demand planning teams to align customer forecasts with product launches and promotions, ensuring stock availability.
• Provided support for independent retail accounts across multiple international markets.
• Processed and managed customer purchase orders, ensuring pricing, discounts, and payment terms were accurately recorded and communicated.
• Developed and maintained strong customer relationships by acting as a primary point of contact for inquiries, resolving order discrepancies, and enhancing service levels.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 3+ years’ experience in operations management within the consumer goods industry.
• Proven experience in warehouse and supply chain operations, including stock management and order fulfilment.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in operational reporting and process improvement.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to challenges.
• Experience with ERP and WMS systems, ideally Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced working environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to take the next step in their career and make a significant impact within a growing company. If you’re passionate about operational excellence and optimizing supply chain processes, this role could be perfect for you!