AUSTIN MATLEY
Operations Director
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South-East UK | Executive Leadership Opportunity | Permanent
Our client is a highly successful, privately owned business operating within the specialist equipment hire sector. Having established an outstanding reputation for customer service and operational excellence, the business is now entering an exciting phase of growth.
With ambitious plans to significantly increase turnover over the next three years, they are seeking an experienced Operations Director to join the Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in delivering the next stage of their strategic journey.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a board-level appointment with responsibility for leading all operational functions, including warehouse, workshop, transport, fleet, and health & safety.
This is far more than an operational leadership role. You'll be responsible for building a scalable operating platform capable of supporting substantial business growth while driving improvements in productivity, profitability, customer experience, and operational performance. Working alongside the wider leadership team, you'll help shape the long-term strategy of the business, ensuring operational excellence underpins continued commercial success.
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Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the operational strategy to support ambitious growth plans.
- Lead warehouse, workshop, transport, fleet, and health & safety functions across multiple sites.
- Improve operational efficiency, productivity, and asset utilisation.
- Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes, and performance.
- Develop and mentor a high-performing operational leadership team.
- Deliver measurable improvements in operational KPIs, customer service, and commercial performance.
- Ensure robust governance, compliance, and health & safety standards.
- Collaborate closely with Commercial, Finance, and Digital teams to deliver business-wide improvements.
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The Person
We are looking for an experienced operational leader with a proven ability to scale businesses within asset-intensive, multi-site environments.
You will bring:
- Experience as an Operations Director, Head of Operations, or equivalent senior leadership position.
- A background within tool hire, plant hire, equipment rental, specialist distribution, or a comparable operational environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing operational budgets and improving profitability.
- A proven track record of operational transformation, continuous improvement, and organisational growth.
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build engaged, high-performing teams.
- A visible, hands-on leadership style combined with strategic thinking and Board-level credibility.
Experience within a founder-led, private equity-backed, or investment-ready business would be advantageous.
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