Builders' Merchants News

Operations Director - Building Products Distribution - Southern England 6 November, 2025 SHARE Our client is a long-established business and a respected leader within their sector. Privately owned and values-led, the company has achieved sustained growth through investment, diversification, and a deep commitment to service excellence. With multiple specialist divisions, the group continues to evolve and strengthen. Led by an impressive senior team, the Board now seeks to build further capabilities around an already strong and cohesive leadership team. We are seeking a credible, people-focused Operations Director to lead the branch network and core operational functions. The role has full responsibility for branch performance, customer experience, and operational standards, as well as oversight of a small central operations team covering Facilities, Fleet, and Health & Safety. Working closely with the Sales Director and the Board, the successful candidate will bring structure, pace, and commercial focus - ensuring operations and sales work hand-in-hand to deliver growth, service excellence, and continuous improvement across the business. You'll be a visible, hands on leader, comfortable spending most of your time in the field engaging with branch teams. You'll combine a sales and customer mindset with the discipline and structure to raise operational standards across a multi site business. Key traits: Strong people leader - able to engage, challenge, and inspire Branch Managers and teams. Commercially sharp - understands that sales are the lifeblood of the business. Structured and disciplined - brings rigour and consistency without losing the entrepreneurial feel. Visible and present - thrives on being in branches, not behind a desk. Culturally aligned - authentic, grounded, and values led. Committed for the long term - this is a role for someone who wants to grow with the business and make a lasting impact. The company is open-minded about background - candidates could come from merchanting, trade distribution, DIY Retail, or related multi site, high SKU B2B environments - but you must bring credibility, leadership presence, and a track record of improving performance through people. This is a rare opportunity to join a respected, growing business with strong foundations, significant potential, and the autonomy to make a real difference. This is not a hybrid/WFH role - the Operations Director must be on-site and present in the network five days a week. Candidates outside the region are welcome to apply if willing to relocate.