Head of Retail Operations

# Head of Retail Operations About the jobIf you're excited by the idea of shaping how a retail business truly operates, this could be your next big move. We're looking for a Head of Retail Operations who can bring clarity, direction and energy to the way our stores run every day. You'll lead the specialist teams who make retail tick - from change delivery and communications to policies, routines and our retail helpdesk - ensuring every store has what it needs to succeed.You'll turn big picture strategy into simple, store ready delivery, championing operational excellence and making change feel seamless for colleagues. It's a role with real influence: you'll drive value for customers and teams, build a culture of accountability and keep Retail Operations future fit, agile and ready for whatever comes next. If you thrive on shaping strategy, elevating standards and enabling teams to deliver their best, you'll make a significant impact here.This is a hybrid role, with 2-3 days each week spent at our Wakefield head office. What you will be doing You'll shape how Retail Operations runs today and how it evolves for the future. Working closely with the Central Operations Senior Leadership Team, you'll turn long term strategy into a clear, deliverable plan that aligns teams behind the right priorities. You'll set the roadmap, define the measures that matter and create a culture where people understand what they're here to deliver and feel empowered to do it well.You'll lead operational excellence across the estate, ensuring everything we ask stores to do is practical, aligned to capacity and genuinely adds value. From activity planning and communications to policies, routines and process simplification, you'll make sure stores receive clear guidance, simple ways of working and change that lands smoothly. You'll collaborate across the business to keep operations efficient, future fit and responsive to the needs of colleagues and customers.You'll sponsor major change programmes, ensuring they're store ready, well tested and deliver the benefits they promise. You'll also oversee our Retail Helpdesk, ensuring stores receive fast, effective support and that insights from issues help us continually improve.As a senior leader, you'll build and develop a high performing Retail Operations team, champion collaboration and create opportunities for colleagues to grow across both central and field roles. You'll set high standards, celebrate success and help shape an operation that enables stores to deliver brilliantly every day. What we're looking for Significant senior leadership experience in multi site retail or retail operations, with a strong track record of leading cross functional teams. Proven accountability for P&L and operational budgets, with experience delivering large scale change in a fast paced retail environment. Demonstrated ability to drive measurable improvements in efficiency, store execution and colleague experience. Strong strategic planning capability, with confidence in capacity planning, budgeting and commercial decision making. Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to simplify complexity and make clear, timely decisions. Technologically confident, with a continuous improvement mindset and a focus on smarter, more efficient ways of working. An enterprise first thinker who champions store success, brings future focused and commercially astute thinking and stays composed under pressure. A visible, decisive leader who builds trust, drives momentum and develops high performing teams through coaching, support and clear accountability. Someone who brings energy, simplicity and strategic clarity to complex challenges, unlocking potential in others and elevating team performance.Step into a role where your impact is felt across our stores - it's a brilliant moment to be part of our journey.The following content displays a map of the job's location. OpenStreetMap contributors Head of Retail Operations Salary Competitive salary and benefits package Frequency Annual Job Reference cardfac/TP 30675 Contract Type Permanent Working Hours 37.5 Closing Date 04 February, 2026 Location Century House Brunel Road Wakefield 41 Industrial Estate, United Kingdom Posted on 05 January, 2026