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Universal Business Team

Operations Manager

Sandbach , United Kingdom
full-time

AI overview

Play a central role in shaping operational capability in a growing family-run SME, managing day-to-day operations and influencing business strategies.

Operations Manager

Salary: £45,000 – £60,000
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire
Contract: Full-time, permanent

About the Role

We are working on behalf of a well-established, family-run SME specialising in spill management solutions that protect people, workplaces, and the environment. Due to continued growth, our client is creating a new Operations Manager position to play a central role in shaping and strengthening their operational capability.

This is a hands-on, multi-faceted role suited to an experienced operational leader who enjoys working closely with people, processes, and customers in a fast-moving SME environment. As a key member of the leadership team, the successful candidate will have real influence over how the business operates today and scales for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

  • Oversee and coordinate day-to-day business operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and service excellence.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve operational systems, processes, and procedures.
  • Monitor operational performance, KPIs, and prepare regular management reports.
  • Identify operational risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.

People & Team Management

  • Lead, coach, and manage the auditor team, including route planning and audit reporting.
  • Work closely with sales, on-site support teams, and customers to ensure seamless delivery.
  • Contribute as a core member of the management and leadership team.

Business & Supply Chain Operations

  • Manage new customer site setups from an operational perspective.
  • Oversee stock management for wholesale and end-user customers.
  • Manage Spill-Aid production processes.
  • Oversee e-commerce operations including Amazon FBM and FBA.
  • Manage supplier relationships and support future import/export activity (FX, VAT, duties, transport).

Financial & Compliance Oversight

  • Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-control initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and relevant regulations.

Requirements

Essential

  • Proven experience in an Operations Manager or similar role.
  • Strong leadership and people-management capability.
  • Highly organised with excellent problem-solving skills.
  • Confident managing multiple priorities in a hands-on SME environment.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Desirable

  • Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
  • Experience in manufacturing, logistics, or operationally complex environments.
  • Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.

Benefits

  • Newly created role with genuine influence and autonomy.
  • Opportunity to shape operations within a growing, values-driven family business.
  • Varied and engaging role combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery.
  • Competitive salary of £45,000–£60,000 depending on experience.

IND25

 Universal Business Team

Universal Business Team (“UBT”) is a global enterprise spanning 19 countries across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Central America and Australasia. UBT, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, is a diversified business consultancy that supports clients with business-advisory and group-buying services with the objective to help businesses develop a competitive edge. UBT was launched in 2009 in response to the Global Financial Crisis to support client organisations that were either in distress or looking to improve their competitiveness and financial performance. Currently, UBT turns over $500M (AUD) and has aspirations for significant growth over the next three to five years. A recent decision was made to bring four separate global regions together under the one global brand and leadership team. UBT’s business advisory services comprise corporate training, consulting, recruitment, accounting, and group buying services. UBT facilitates leadership and business excellence for our client’s in their respective industries. Through the group buying function, UBT nurtures mutually-beneficial relationships between member businesses and world-leading providers of business goods and services. The outcome to which we strive is a “win-win” for small-to-medium enterprises and big business alike. UBT provides services and products to approximately 3,000 independent, family-owned businesses globally with combined annual revenues exceeding $12B (AUD). The majority are small to medium sized enterprises with typical annual revenue ranges between $5m-$20m. However, there are also some larger businesses with annual revenues in the range of $100m-$250m. The unifying feature of all UBT’s clients is that the owners are parishioners of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC). UBT (which is owned by the PBCC) supports clients by providing products, services and support designed to increase their profitability and growth. The after-tax profits generated by UBT are reinvested into community initiatives, predominantly through schools (established to educate the children of Brethren families) and charities, such as the Rapid Relief Team (“RRT”) and the Red Cross. UBT Recruitment are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We will apply a rigorous, objective selection process using non-discriminatory criteria, as far as possible on behalf of all the businesses we recruit for.To view our policy in full please contact [email protected]

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£45,000 – £60,000 per year
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