Operations Manager – Route to MD level.

Job Title: Operations Manager – Route to MD level.

Salary: £Highly Competitive salary

Location: London

Reference: J8259

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Operations Manager to join an established, successful and privately owned business operating within the Print Supplies sector.

This is a particularly interesting opportunity for someone who is looking for more than simply their next management position.

The business is entering an important period of succession planning, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with the current business owner and senior management team, gaining increasing responsibility across the operation with a clear potential route towards General Manager and ultimately company leadership.

The company has an established customer base in the UK and international markets and is looking for an individual who can become a key member of the management team and play an important role in the future development of the business.

The Role

Initially, you will take responsibility for supporting and coordinating the day-to-day operation of the business, working closely with existing personnel across sales, export and technical functions.

As your knowledge of the business develops, you will progressively take on greater commercial and operational responsibility, with the long-term objective of becoming a senior leader within the organisation.

The role will include a combination of operations, commercial activity, customer management, export sales and business development, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to broaden their experience and develop towards a General Management position.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and support the day-to-day operations of the business, working closely with existing personnel.
• Develop a strong understanding of the company’s products, customers, suppliers and commercial operations.
• Support and develop relationships with UK and international customers, distributors and agents.
• Take an active role in export sales and international business development, identifying opportunities and developing existing relationships.
• Work with the sales team to develop new markets and maximise opportunities with existing customers.
• Attend customer meetings, exhibitions and trade events in the UK and internationally when required.
• Support the coordination of customer requirements with internal technical and production functions.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure customer requirements are delivered effectively and commercially.
• Assist with sales forecasting, pricing, commercial planning and general business development.
• Monitor and improve operational processes as your responsibilities develop.
• Build effective relationships across the business and provide leadership and support to colleagues.
• Take increasing responsibility for the overall performance and development of the business as part of the company’s succession plan.

About You

We are deliberately open-minded regarding your background.

You may currently be working in Operations, Sales, Export Sales, Commercial Management, Business Development or General Management, but the most important factor is your ambition and potential to develop into a senior business leader.

Experience within Print Supplies, Printing, Printing Inks, Packaging, Chemicals or another related technical B2B environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.

We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate:

• Previous experience in a management, commercial or operational environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and an ability to identify and develop business opportunities.
• Experience dealing with customers, distributors, agents or other B2B stakeholders.
• Experience of export sales or international customers would be advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence and maturity to work closely with an established business owner and senior colleagues.
• A hands-on and practical approach to business operations.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• The ability to work independently and take increasing responsibility.
• A genuine ambition to progress into General Management and ultimately business leadership.
• Willingness to travel internationally when required.

Export regulations, customs and international logistics experience are not essential. The business has access to external specialist support whe