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 West Suffolk
Established in 1889, West Suffolk was an English administrative county until it was combined with East Suffolk in 1974 as part of the Local Government Act 1972.
Although it's no longer an official county, the various settlements in what was once West Suffolk still offer plenty of options for job seekers looking for Head of Operations positions. Indeed, just some of the towns and villages include Bury St Edmunds - the former county town of West Suffolk - Sudbury, Newmarket, Haverhill and Mildenhall.
Historically, West Suffolk was known for producing cloth and during the Middle Ages, there was a thriving cloth trade in the region.
Brewing and malting have long been important industries for the region, while sugar beet processing has also given a boost to the local economy.
Greene King - the UK's largest British-owned brewery - was established in West Suffolk in 1799, while smaller names include the Old Cannon Brewery and Bartrums Brewery.
British Sugar was established in 1936 and it has been processing sugar beet for the Silver Spoon brand at a factory in Bury St Edmunds since 1925.
Other notable businesses include chocolate company Hadleigh Maid, biotech firm Genzyme and International Flavors and Fragrances.
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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