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 Doncaster
Doncaster has a colourful history that dates back at least as far as the Romans, when it was served by an important road between London and the North. Nowadays the South Yorkshire town remains a well connected place, with the M18 an A1(M) passing the town and excellent rail connections to Sheffield an Leeds to the west and the docks of Hull to the east. The canals helped bring wealth to the town, particularly when vast coal seams were discovered nearby and the town boomed. There is also Robin Hood International Airport on the doorstep, although it is probably more famous for a mischievous tweet than for its global aviation repute!
Although coal mining has largely ended in the area, it is one of the few places that still has active mines. During the Industrial Revolution the place was a hotbed of industry, with steel manufacture, glassmaking, railway engineering and chemical manufacturing going on. In the 1930s tractors started being made in the town by International Harvester. This tradition survived right up until 2007 after several buy-outs and mergers.
Anyone looking for Head of Operations work in Doncaster should be greeted by a seam of opportunities as rich as the coal’s. As well as the airport and road links, it is home to Doncaster International Railport, a vast railway complex that distributes goods nationally and ultimately internationally. Many companies have recognised this sweet spot and set up distribution centres and warehousing facilities in the area. Names include B&Q, DFS, Next, Faberge, Tesco, IKEA, Exel and Amazon.
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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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