Operational Performance

• Monitor and improve:
  • Workflow efficiency.
  • Turnaround times.
  • Capacity utilisation.
  • Service levels.
  • Error rates.
  • Team productivity.
  • Customer satisfaction.
  • Operational reporting.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement practical improvements.

Capacity Planning & Growth

• Working alongside the Sales Manager, regularly assess operational capacity against forecast sales activity.
• Develop plans to:
  • Increase operational efficiency.
  • Improve resource utilisation.
  • Reduce unnecessary administration.
  • Introduce automation where appropriate.
  • Build capacity for future growth.
• A major objective of the role is to establish whether the business can successfully increase its auction calendar from 10 auctions per annum to between 15 and 20 auctions while maintaining high levels of customer service and operational quality.
• This should include:
  • Capacity analysis.
  • Resource planning.
  • Workflow redesign.
  • Technology improvements.
  • Recruitment recommendations.
  • Financial impact assessments.

Financial & Commercial Responsibility

• Work closely with the Bookkeeper and Managing Director to:
  • Monitor operational costs.
  • Improve efficiency.
  • Control overheads.
  • Support budgeting.
  • Improve profitability through better operational performance.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensure operational compliance with:
  • Anti-Money Laundering procedures.
  • Data protection.
  • Internal controls.
  • Company policies.
  • Regulatory obligations.
• Maintain accurate operational records and minimise business risk.

Collaboration with the Sales Manager

• The Operations Manager and Sales Manager are jointly responsible for ensuring the business can deliver sustainable growth.
• The Sales Manager is responsible for generating profitable instructions.
• The Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring those instructions can be delivered efficiently, consistently and profitably.
• Together they will:
  • Review pipeline forecasts.
  • Plan operational capacity.
  • Identify service improvements.
  • Improve communication between departments.
  • Resolve operational challenges.
  • Prepare the business for increased auction frequency.

Key Performance Indicators

Customer Experience

• Customer satisfaction scores.
• Number of customer complaints.
• Complaint resolution times.
• Client retention.
• Repeat business.

Operational Excellence

• Turnaround times.
• Workflow efficiency.
• Error reduction.
• SLA achievement.
• Case completion times.
• Operational productivity.

People Development

• Training completion.
• Staff competency assessments.
• Cross-training coverage.
• Staff engagement.
• Staff retention.
• Individual development plans completed.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Standard Operating Procedures created.
• SOP compliance.
• Process improvements implemented.
• Automation initiatives delivered.
• Reduction in operational inconsistencies.

Business Growth

• Operational readiness for increased auction frequency.
• Successful delivery of additional auctions without service deterioration.
• Improved operational capacity.
• Productivity improvements.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven operational management experience.
• Strong leadership and coaching ability.
• Experience developing teams.
• Experience creating systems and procedures.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and planning ability.
• Customer service leadership experience.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Desirable

• Property or auction industry experience.
• Project management experience.
• Experience implementing operational change.
• Knowledge of CRM and workflow systems.
• Experience developing training programmes.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will:

• Be highly organised and process-driven.
• Take pride in developing people.
• Enjoy building systems that improve consistency.
• Be calm under pressure.
• Lead by example.
• Challenge existing ways of working constructively.
• Make decisions using data and evidence.
• Be committed to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Think strategically while remaining hands-on.

Success in the First 12 Months

A successful Operations Manager will have:

• Established clear operational leadership across the support team.
• Introduced documented Standard Operating Procedures for all core business processes.
• Developed structured training programmes that improve consistency and confidence across the operational team.
• Raised customer service standards, leading to measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and reduced complaints.
• Improved communication and collaboration between Sales and Operations.
• Produced a detailed operational capacity plan demonstrating how the business can scale from 10 to potentially 15 auctions per year, including recommendations on staffing, technology, workflow and investment.
• Reduced the Managing Director's involvement in day-to-day operational issues, enabling greater focus on strategic growth and business development.

Salary package

The Operations Manager will earn a generous salary package depending upon experience, but in the region of £50,000 to £60,000.