Full job descriptionThe Work Shop are delighted to be recruiting for an Operations Manager (Branch Manager) for a growing global organisation based in Southampton in the import export market.


The Branch Manager leads the branch as a complete business – its people, customers, operations and results – and is accountable for a safe and engaged team, profitable growth, managing inventory, an efficient operation, compliance with the regional strategy and the service our customers depend on.


How results are achieved matters as much as the results themselves: the role requires visible, approachable, hands-on leadership, open communication and personal standard-setting on safety, quality, integrity and customer-centric approach.


As the successful Operations Manager (Branch Manager)
*Salary up to £90,000 Monthly car allowance £800
*Southampton office
*Office based - 5 days per week. 8:30am – 5pm
*23 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 28 with service
*Pension – 5% employee contribution, 3% employer (rises with service – max 8%)
*Flexi time – system allows you to accumulate hours to be taken in that month or following month(subject to approval) ( 8 hours Max in any month)
*Free car parking
*Life assurance and income protection after 3 months
*Employee Assistance Programme


Duties for the Operations Manager (Branch Manager)
Leading and developing the team
*Lead, motivate, train and develop personnel, and create an environment where people feel safe, respected, listened to and able to do their best work.
*Set clear expectations and objectives for every role; hold regular one-to-ones and honest, timely performance conversations, recognising good work and addressing underperformance, early and fairly. Communicate openly and regularly.
*Recruit, induct and retain the right people, and build the skills mix, cross-training and succession the branch needs.
*Coach and develop people. Agree development plans, support internal progression, and provide consultation, counselling and guidance to employees.
*Handle employee relations matters promptly and consistently with HR; act as a role model for our values and challenge behaviour that falls below our standards, whoever it comes from.
Customers and commercial growth
*Collaborate with the senior management team to develop and implement business strategies, goals and objectives to improve sales, profit, performance and productivity levels.
*Ensure sales targets are met, monitor budgets and motivate the team to attain objectives.
*Develop and maintain relationships with customers, identify their needs and consistently deliver excellent customer service and value-added proposals; visit customers regularly with the sales team.
*Evaluate local market conditions, competitor activity and pricing, and pursue new business – new customers, industries and products.
Operations, warehouse and inventory
*Ensure orders are processed and despatched accurately, safely and on time, to the lead times promised to the customer. Improve workflow and operational performance.
*Ensure material traceability and certification is maintained without exception, and that quality accreditations are held and audits passed.
*Prepare appropriate Capex requirements and justification for new/additional equipment, and manage approved projects.
*Manage inventory – availability, stock turn, accuracy, stock takes, ageing and excess. Maintain relationship with key suppliers, visit suppliers with the supply chain team where required.
Financial and business management
*Develop a growing and profitable business which provides a return on capital consistent with company objectives.
*Manage the branch profit and loss account – sales, margin, costs, headcount and overheads – within budget, and manage working capital including inventory and debtors.
*Prepare accurate budgets, forecasts and business cases, and explain and act on variances quickly.
*Regularly report KPIs and ACE metrics.
Compliance, safety governance and risk
*Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental requirements, company policies, and industry standards.
*Be personally accountable for the safety of everyone on site – employees, agency staff, contractors, drivers and visitors – and for plant protection. Lead by example and always follow the rules set for others.
*Carry out and act on regular safety walks, involving the team in finding the solutions, and build a culture where near misses and hazards are reported without fear of blame.
*Investigate incidents to root cause, close actions out and share the lessons learned.
*Ensure that conditions and equipment are maintained to the highest level both in the Warehouse and Office.
*Ensure adherence to the quality management system and applicable specifications and approvals, and to export control, sanctions and customs obligations.
*Maintain emergency and business continuity arrangements, meet data protection obligations, and escalate significant risks promptly.
Working as one team
*Ensure cooperation within all departments, and work as one team with other branches, regions and central functions rather than optimising the branch in isolation.
*Turn the regional strategy into a branch plan with clear actions and targets the team understands, and share stock, spare capacity, sales leads and what works well with other branches.
*Take part in cross-site projects and system rollouts, lead the team constructively through change, and work effectively across time zones, languages and cultures.


Operations Manager, Branch manager, Compliance, Financial and Business Management, Operations warehouse and Inventory, Leading and development of Team, Metals, Import Export, Health nnd Safely, Profit and Loss, margin