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 Walsall
Walsall has gone through countless changes through history, not least with its name, which was once Walesho, meaning valley of the Welsh speakers. It was also historically in Staffordshire, but is now part of the West Midlands metropolitan county, along with Birmingham and Wolverhampton, its neighbour in the west.
The population of Walsall, which had been a relatively small village, exploded during the Industrial Revolution, and it was an important coal mining, limestone quarrying, iron and brass founding and leatherworking centre. This latter trade is still associated with the town, hence the football club’s nickname The Saddlers. Modern industries include plastics, aircraft parts, chemicals and electronics. The RAC has its control centre nearby, as anyone who has travelled on the M6 will know. Recently the high street clothing and homeware store TK Maxx opened its regional depot there.
The town is particularly well served by the road and rail networks, which along with its location right in the centre of England, has opened up the opportunity for companies to locate their depots and warehouses in the area. This means that Head of Operations positions are frequently asked for by local employers. And like many towns and cities with strong links to Britain’s industrial past, there’s a workforce and work ethic to fulfil them.
Popular locations
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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