Head of Operations
Ask a hundred companies what their head of operations does and you’ll get a hundred answers. And that’s a clue to what the role entails – it’s a job that’s focused on a specific area with the intention of making it run to the board’s aims, i.e. with maximum productivity, efficiency, compliance and performance.
Often, the operations head will have a slightly different title, such as head of HR operations or head of IT operations, as the generic title would not accurately describe the day to day tasks of the role. Essentially, though, you are overseeing the way a particular process, or a range of interconnected processes, work, and ensuring they operate smoothly within the context of the business.
The head of operations slots into the corporate infrastructure below board level, but there will be crucial managerial responsibilities, and the larger the company, the more vital and pressurised your decisions and management will be.
The skills required
Needless to say, there are a lot of skills that are transferable between head of operations jobs in different companies, such as the ability to manage large and complex teams, to interpret strategic aims and convert them into actionable plans, and to report back to the board accurately, candidly and clearly.
It’s likely that the core functions of the business will rest on your shoulders, so this isn’t a role for the indecisive or the weak-hearted, but nor is it a position that suits risk-takers, as everything you do should be planned and justified. Overseeing operations will naturally require excellent communication skills and an ability to delegate and trust subordinates appropriately.
Head of Operations Jobs in Cornwall
Located in the south-west of England, Cornwall is mainly surrounded by water, although it shares a border with Devon to the east. The region is recognised as a Celtic nation, home to the Cornish people, and many residents in the area believe that it should be allowed to split from England to become the fifth home nation of the UK.
Fishing and agriculture have long been part of the Cornish economy and from the Middle Ages, the mining of tin became one of the most important industries in the region. This continued to grow and in the early 19th century, copper mining also brought wealth to the area.
Within 50 years, however, metal mining started to decline and was replaced by the production of china clay. By the end of the 1990s, mining was almost completely gone from Cornwall.
These days, the Cornish economy mainly relies on agriculture and tourism and those seeking Head of Operations opportunities will have various options to consider.
Food manufacturing companies like Ginsters, the West Cornwall Pasty Company and Dairy Crest are large employers in the region, while brewing is also a large industry, with Sharp's, Skinners and St Austell being just three of Cornwall's many beer companies.
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Find heads of operations at Cast UK
Your business depends on finding the absolute best people to head up your operations, so you need to cast your net widely to ensure you’ve explored all options. That’s why partnering with Cast UK as your recruitment consultancy makes perfect sense. We deal with professional level level talent, delivering excellent interview-ready shortlists to businesses of all sizes and types. Call 0333 121 3345 to talk to a cons today.
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