Contract Operations Manager

Interim Operations Manager – Supply Chain, Warehouse & Logistics

Luton (onsite) | 6-month contract | £60–£70 per hour, inside IR35 | 37.5 hours per week

Are you an operations leader who can step in, take ownership and leave things running better than you found them?

Our client designs connected monitoring products that protect critical electrical infrastructure. The business is growing internationally. They need an experienced Operations Manager for a 6-month contract, based in Luton, to own the whole journey from supplier to customer.

The role

You will lead supply chain planning, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, logistics and customer fulfilment. This is a broad, hands-on role with real scope to shape how operations run. You will:

• Build and run the demand, supply and inventory plan, balancing customer service, working capital and cost.


• Lead warehouse operations, from goods in and kitting through to dispatch, returns and traceability.


• Set inventory policies and drive stock accuracy through cycle counting and root-cause fixes.


• Manage suppliers, contract manufacturers and logistics partners on quality, delivery and cost.


• Support new product introductions, engineering changes and product transitions.


• Track and improve KPIs such as on-time delivery, inventory turns, stock accuracy and freight cost.


• Lead the team and put simple, scalable processes in place.

What you’ll bring

• A degree in supply chain, operations, business, engineering, logistics or a related field.


• 5+ years’ progressive experience across supply chain, planning, procurement, inventory, warehouse or logistics.


• Experience leading people, projects, suppliers or cross-functional teams.


• Strong ERP and inventory-system skills.


• The ability to get up to speed quickly and deliver results within a fixed term.

Great to have

• APICS CPIM/CSCP, CIPS, Lean or Six Sigma.


• A background in electronics, electrical equipment, sensors or connected products.


• Experience of S&OP, new product introductions, 3PLs or contract manufacturers.


• Knowledge of import/export, customs and international freight.

The contract

• 6 months, starting ASAP


• £60–£70 per hour, inside IR35.


• 37.5 hours per week, fully onsite in Luton.

Interested? Apply now or contact Will Drake at Octagon Group on 07441347401 / [email protected] for a confidential conversation.