Solent Group
Operations Director
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Solent Group Operations Director
Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household, Impulse, Snacking, and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.
Here at Solent, we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.
LOCATION: Hybrid (as required)
TRAVEL: International & Domestic Required
Purpose of the Role
The Operations Director is a core strategic leader within Solent Group, responsible for delivering the operational, digital, sustainability, and resilience pillars of Solent's multiyear transformation portfolio. This role ensures that Solent's operational engine is world-class, retailer-aligned, innovation-ready, and capable of supporting rapid growth across global markets.
The Director will translate Solent's strategic priorities - operational excellence, digital maturity, ESG leadership, enterprise resilience, and innovation acceleration - into executable plans that strengthen performance, reduce risk, and build long-term value.
Strategic Objectives of the Role
- Partner with the COO and Executive Board to shape and deliver Solent's Strategic Projects Roadmap, ensuring operational alignment with commercial, product, sourcing, technical, finance, and people strategies
- Drive operational excellence through systems visibility, process discipline, and continuous improvement across all sites and functions
- Lead Solent's digital transformation, embedding AI, automation, and predictive analytics into core operations and decision-making
- Embed sustainability and ESG commitments into every operational process, ensuring retailer alignment and measurable environmental impact reduction
- Strengthen enterprise resilience, expanding BCP into a full risk framework covering geopolitical, cyber, supply chain, and regulatory exposures
- Ensure innovation readiness, enabling rapid product launches, scalable NPD operations, and seamless cross-functional collaboration
- Build a high-performing leadership pipeline, developing future operational leaders and embedding Solent's values across teams
- Provide clear, structured reporting into the COO and Operating Board, ensuring governance, accountability, and strategic alignment
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Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Excellence
- Design and implement systems that provide real-time visibility of KPIs, risks, and progress against Solent's North Star operational metrics
- Lead continuous improvement programmes across facilities, logistics, supply chain, and group operations
- Ensure operational alignment with retailer expectations, service levels, and strategic partnerships
Supply Chain, S&OP & Logistics
- Oversee global supply chain performance, S&OP maturity, logistics optimisation, and facilities management
- Deliver resilience through diversified sourcing, capacity planning, and proactive risk mitigation
Digital Transformation & Systems Modernisation
- Lead adoption of AI, automation, and advanced analytics to enhance forecasting, agility, and decision-making
- Partner with IT to modernise Solent's digital core, strengthen cyber resilience, and optimise third-party technology partnerships
- Ensure digital readiness for future innovation, retailer integration, and operational scaling
Sustainability & ESG Integration
- Embed carbon reduction, ethical sourcing, circular economy principles, and retailer ESG requirements into operations
- Partner with sourcing and technical teams to ensure compliance with global standards and retailer frameworks
Enterprise Risk & Resilience
- Expand BCP into a comprehensive enterprise risk framework covering geopolitical, cyber, regulatory, and supply chain risks
- Lead scenario planning, stress testing, and resilience programmes across the group
Innovation & Product Alignment
- Partner with product, commercial, and technical teams to ensure operational readiness for new product launches
- Build scalable operational pathways for innovation, ensuring speed-to-market and quality consistency
M&A Integration
- Lead operational integration of acquisitions, ensuring cultural alignment, systems harmonisation, and continuity of service
- Develop and maintain Solent's M&A operational playbook
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Financial Stewardship
- Lead operational budgeting, capital investment planning, and ROI analysis for infrastructure and technology projects
- Ensure cost discipline, value creation, and alignment with Solent's long-term financial strategy
Talent, Culture & Leadership Development
- Build future leaders through coaching, structured development, and succession planning
- Embed Solent's values into operational culture
Governance & Board Engagement
- Report directly to the COO and contribute to Executive and Operating Board governance
- Provide structured updates on transformation progress, operational KPIs, risk posture, and strategic alignment
- Ensure operations are fully integrated into Solent's enterprise governance cadence
Experience
- FMCG experience preferable
- Multi-site, multi-function operations
- Building operations during growth
- International operations preferred
Key competencies and skills
- Strategic leadership across multi-site, multi-function operations
- Expertise in sustainability & ESG frameworks
- Advanced knowledge of digital transformation, AI, automation, and predictive analytics
- Strong enterprise risk management and resilience planning capabilities
- Proven ability to align operations with innovation and product development
- Experience in M&A integration and global compliance oversight
- Financial acumen in budgeting, capital investment, and ROI analysis
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills
What we offer
- Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
- 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support, and many other benefits
- Hybrid working flexibility
- Great learning and development and progression opportunities
- Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Generous Company Sick Pay
- Pension Scheme Contribution
- Annual social events
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Free parking on Christchurch Quay
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