Head of Operations – Lower Barn Farm
Location: [Rayleigh Essex]
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Salary Range 30-60k
About Lower Barn Farm
Lower Barn Farm is a leading provider of landscaping materials, stone masonry services, fireplaces, and heating solutions. With a strong reputation for quality and customer service, we are now looking for an experienced Head of Operations to help streamline our processes and drive business growth.
Role Overview
As Head of Operations, you will be responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of the business. These include but are not limited to: Health & Safety compliance, Transport, Warehouse, Sales order Processing and stock management.
Attributes we are looking for:
Behaviours:
This role requires a hands-on leader who can take ownership of operations and ensure smooth day-to-day running of the business.
Customer focused, team player, can do attitude, flexible, good communicator, professional, detail conscious, results driven, proactive, commercially aware.
Skills:
People management experience running a large operation of around 30 operational employees, numerate, literate, IT knowledge (MS office), experience in compliance with the Operator Licence Legislation, with strong health and safety experience
Ideally you will have had experience of a change management programme in a similar environment and a proven track record in continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety
· Ensuring legislation related to Health, Safety, transport and the environment are kept up to date and implemented at all times.
· Ensure Manual Handling best practice is followed by all.
· Manage risk assessments, fire policies, inspection records and COSHH legislation.
· Site Traffic management
· Always Ensure sufficient First aiders / Fire Marshalls on site.
· Ensure every incident, near miss, dangerous occurrence and unsafe condition is investigated in full and communicated to interested parties
Stock Management & Inventory Control
· Oversee annual stock takes and schedule PI counts, ensuring accuracy and minimising discrepancies.
· Responsible for implementing inventory controls for warehouse operations.
· Prepare site plan to ensure stock is stored in the most efficient way to avoid damages and maximise picking efficiency.
· Improve order processes and audit trail through in-house stock system (Orderwise).
Buying & Supplier Management
· Oversee and optimize the buying process to ensure stock availability while managing costs efficiently.
· Work with suppliers to negotiate pricing, terms, and lead times for key materials.
· Ensure all incoming supplier deliveries are check against Orderwise PO and Delivery note.
· Monitor inventory forecasting to prevent overstocking or stock shortages.
· Ensure all operational purchases (packaging, tools, transport supplies) are cost-effective and well-managed.
Logistics & Transport Efficiency
· Ensure all deliveries are checked against pick notes to avoid errors.
· Enforce driver compliance with daily vehicle and MHE defect checks ensuring any remedial work is actioned promptly.
· Adhere to legislation relating to O’licence, vehicle maintenance, MOT’s and brake testing.
· Create a robust procedure to ensure no stock is despatched without being paid in full.
Operational Efficiency & Business Process Optimisation
· Develop and enforce clear processes to ensure smooth and cost-effective operations.
· Address inefficiencies in workflows, tools, and transport to improve productivity and profitability.
· Ensure that drivers and yard staff operate with discipline, maintaining order and accountability.
· Work closely with the Sales Manager to review customer experience, identifying operational improvements that enhance service, delivery times, and overall customer satisfaction.
· Identify where improvements can be made to site safety, processes, quality systems and operations, encouraging suggestions from others and communicating effectively.
· Engage with colleagues to formalise Operations manual with “how to guides” encompassing all day-to-day activities.
· Ensure appropriate segregation of waste streams to maximise recycling, in line with company procedures
Customer Service and Performance
· Ensure the shop and site remain secure, preventing unauthorized customer access.
· Implement customer service protocols to maintain professionalism even in self-service scenarios.
· Ensure that sufficient resource coverage is always available and that future resourcing requirements are planned. e.g. vehicles MOT’s coverage, staff coverage for annual leave etc.
· Ensure that open communication channels are established and maintained with Managers, staff, customers, suppliers and service providers.
Leadership & Team Management
· Undertaking people management responsibilities, providing leadership, coaching and development.
· Communicates budgets, KPI’s and SLA’s.
· Help set strategy to motivate employees with measurable staff objections.
· Carry out performance reviews in line with company procedure and create personal development plans for each member of the team with focus on staff retention.
· Identify employee performance issues, absence and disciplinary issues.
· Identify and raise awareness of staff training requirements.
How to Apply
If you have the experience, leadership skills, and operational mindset to take Lower Barn Farm to the next level, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply now by sending your CV and cover letter to james.argentieri@lowerbarnfarm.co.uk