Regional Operations Manager

£60,000 to £65,000 Per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, bonus and benefits.

Field based role - Crawley/Croydon/Hemel/Hornsey/Hammersmith/Stevenage

Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,400 
customers from 33 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we’re the unseen force that delivers. So when we say we’re excited for what the future holds for our customers and colleagues, you can trust we’re as good as our word.

As the Regional Operations Manager in Final Mile at Smiths News, you will be responsible for overseeing the efficient and compliant execution of final mile delivery operations across sites within your assigned patch. Your key responsibility will be to ensure that all operational processes meet the company’s standards for productivity, cost control, People Management, service level agreements, and health & safety compliance. This field-based role requires hands-on leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication with Depot Managers & LSM’s, central support teams, and senior management. You will oversee site teams, support their development, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring alignment with Smiths News’ vision of operational excellence.

About the role

Key Focus Areas

• Operational Efficiency: Ensure all final mile delivery operations are optimised for service quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
• Compliance: Maintain full compliance with health & safety regulations and company policies across all sites.
• People Development: Lead and develop LSM’s. Depot Managers and their teams, ensuring high standards of performance and engagement.
• Problem Solving: Address operational challenges quickly to minimise any negative impact on service delivery.
• Standardisation: Implement standardised processes to ensure consistent final mile operations across all sites. Using OE methodology.

ROM Deliverables

• Weekly Performance Reports: Providing an overview of operational KPIs (cost, delivery success, and compliance) across sites within your region.
• Operational Improvement Plans: Proposing action plans for underperforming sites, including timelines for improvement.
• Health & Safety Audits: Monthly reports detailing the compliance status across sites and identifying any safety issues that need addressing.
• Strategic Alignment Reports: Tracking and ensuring that each site is aligned with broader company goals and initiatives.
• Project Updates: Reporting progress on the implementation of major initiatives, including key milestones and obstacles encountered.
• Financial Performance Summaries: Monthly summaries of cost management and budget adherence, identifying risks and opportunities for savings.

What we can offer you

Not only do we offer free onsite parking, 4x salary life assurance and 5% match pension but you’ll also have access to:

• £5,688 per annum car allowance
• Company bonus
• Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
• 25 days holiday plus holiday buy scheme
• 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
• Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan
• Private medical insurance
• Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme

About you

• Proven experience in multi-site operations management within logistics, delivery, or final mile sectors.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of health & safety regulations and compliance in logistics and final mile operations.
• Financial management experience, including budget oversight, cost control, and P&L analysis.
• Proficient in logistics management software, including WMS, TMS, and real-time delivery tracking systems.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a focus on operational efficiency.
• Outstanding communication skills for managing teams and engaging with senior leadership.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies is advantageous.
• Degree in logistics, supply chain management, business administration, or related field is advantageous.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CILT, PRINCE2, ILM, CMI, Lean Six Sigma, NEBOSH) are an advantage.

Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let’s see if we can rely on you, too. Apply now.