Head of Operations

Head of Operations – National Operations | Brisbane

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a high-growth Australian building products and trade distribution business to appoint a Head of Operations.

This is a newly defined senior leadership opportunity with responsibility for operational performance across a national network of 10 sites. Reporting to the CEO, you will lead warehousing, distribution and branch operations, with a strong focus on productivity, customer outcomes, safety and scalable growth.

This is an opportunity for an experienced operations leader to make a genuine impact in a business that is continuing to expand and invest in its systems, capability and infrastructure.

The Role

You will be accountable for:

• Leading warehousing and distribution operations across 10 national sites
• Directly leading and developing Branch Managers
• Driving operational efficiency, productivity and workforce optimisation
• Improving DIFOT and customer service outcomes
• Reducing reliance on contractors through improved workforce planning
• Leading the national rollout of a new WMS
• Driving automation, process improvement and operational discipline
• Improving utilisation of existing ERP systems through better training and processes
• Building capability, accountability and engagement across the operations team
• Partnering closely with Sales, Supply Chain and Marketing to ensure operational performance supports commercial objectives

About You

We are looking for a pragmatic, commercially minded operations leader who combines strong operational discipline with a genuine customer-first mindset.

You will bring:

• Significant multi-site warehousing and distribution experience
• Experience leading multi-shift operations and site/branch managers
• A strong track record of improving productivity, efficiency and operational performance
• Experience with automation, process improvement and workforce planning
• Strong commercial acumen and P&L understanding
• A demonstrated commitment to building a strong safety culture
• A customer-first approach and understanding of the link between operational execution and customer experience
• A strong bias for action and propensity for accelerated execution
• The ability to influence and collaborate effectively across a senior leadership team
• Experience developing people and building high-performing operational teams
• Ideally, experience within a manufacturing, distribution, trade or lean operating environment

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will include:

• Improving DIFOT towards a minimum of 96%
• Measurable improvement in operational efficiency and productivity
• Optimised workforce planning and reduced contractor reliance
• Successful delivery of the national WMS rollout
• Improved capability and engagement across Branch Managers
• Strong safety performance and culture
• High levels of credibility and influence across the Senior Leadership Team

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a growing Australian business at an important stage of its development. You will have significant influence over how the national operation evolves, with the opportunity to improve systems, capability, productivity and customer outcomes at scale.

If you are an experienced operations leader who enjoys creating momentum, improving performance and delivering tangible outcomes, we would like to hear from you.

This is a confidential search. Further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Six Degrees Executive acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

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