Head of Operations - HealthTech & Pharmacy Distribution
Salary: £100,000 to £200,000 base (depending on experience) + equity
Location: Blackburn, UK (on-site, relocation package available)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Are you a strong operational leader ready to get in the trenches and take full ownership of a hands-on role in a fast-growing scale-up environment?
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a senior operations leader to take ownership of a high-growth health tech company’s UK pharmacy distribution operations. This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in fast-paced, scale-up environments, enjoys building operations from the ground up, and has experience managing high-volume, regulated supply chains.
The successful candidate will spearhead the migration to larger premises, lead the design and implementation of robotics and automation, and scale operations from 4,000 to 35,000 orders per day. You will work closely with the UK leadership team and the CEO, shaping operational strategy while maintaining high standards of compliance and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead operational set-up, migration, and scaling of UK distribution facilities
- Implement robotics, automation, and process improvement initiatives to support rapid growth
- Design organisational structures with efficient management layers and no operational bloat
- Manage high-volume warehouse operations, including logistics, shipping, and 3PL partnerships
- Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and operational best practices
- Recruit, lead, and mentor operational teams, ensuring high performance and engagement
- Monitor KPIs, identify bottlenecks, and drive continuous operational improvement
- Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to align operations with company growth strategy
- Participate in leadership meetings, presenting operational insights and influencing strategic decisions
Experience Required
Essential
- Senior operational leadership experience in large-scale warehouse, logistics, or distribution operations
- Proven track record of scaling operations in high-volume, regulated environments
- Experience implementing robotics, automation, or other technology-driven operational improvements
- Strong people management experience, leading teams of 100+ staff
- Experience managing operations handling 10,000+ orders per day
- Strong organisational, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability and willingness to relocate to Blackburn, UK
Desirable
- Background in pharmaceutical or healthcare distribution
- Experience with B2B and D2C supply chains
- Experience in start-up, high-growth, or private equity-backed environments
- Exposure to operational compliance under regulatory scrutiny
- Familiarity with Amazon-style operations, or large-scale e-commerce fulfilment
How to Apply
If you are a senior operational leader seeking a high-impact, hands-on role in a fast-growing health tech company with unlimited upside potential, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Contact Tom Fitch at Compass Associates on 02393 874295 or email your CV to tfitch@compassltd.co.uk
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