Operations Director

Blair West are supporting a PE-backed, B-Corp certified games business, to find an Operations Director. The business has trebled in size over the last three years, with products sold in more than 50 countries, and is now building its capability in the US and Germany as it enters the next phase of growth. This is a newly created executive leadership position, reporting to the CFOO and sitting on the Executive Board, with responsibility for building the production, procurement and operating capability that will allow the business to scale efficiently, reliably and responsibly.

The opportunity:

• Lead the Production, Supply & Distribution and Creative Operations functions, each headed by a director-level report.
• Set and deliver a production strategy capable of supporting materially higher volumes, more markets and more varied product formats, strengthening product engineering, quality, compliance and on-time delivery.
• Create and lead a group procurement strategy across manufacturing, freight, logistics and other third-party spend, delivering sustainable savings and margin improvement without compromising product experience.
• Build strategic, transparent and resilient relationships with manufacturing partners, including geographic and supplier diversification.
• Ensure logistics, inventory and service capability keeps pace with growth across the US, Germany, the rest of the world and direct-to-consumer channels, supporting an effective S&OP process alongside the CFO and commercial teams.
• Simplify and improve the cross-functional processes that matter most to growth, including NPD, demand-to-supply and artwork approval, with clear ownership, decision rights and controls.
• Act as business sponsor for ERP, PIM, demand-planning and workflow tools, working in partnership with AI, IT and Finance.
• Own the operational resilience and enterprise compliance agenda, covering product compliance, cyber, privacy, health and safety and continuity planning.
• Embed the organisation’s B-Corp and responsible sourcing commitments into production, procurement and day-to-day operations.
• Translate the business plan into an operational roadmap and investment case through 2029, reporting to the Executive Board and Board on performance, risk and trade-offs.

You’ll be the ideal candidate for this role if you have:

• Senior operations leadership experience within a scaling consumer products, games, toys, gifting, publishing or similar multi-SKU business with international sourcing.
• Deep, evidenced expertise in production and procurement, from supplier strategy and product engineering through to commercial negotiation and operational detail.
• Experience scaling an international, omni-channel operation, ideally including China/Asia and near-shore sourcing, and US and European compliance and fulfilment.
• A track record of measurable improvements in margin, service, quality, resilience and process, rather than simply implementing tools or writing procedures.
• Strong commercial and financial fluency, including working capital, investment cases, contracts and benefits realisation.
• Experience leading senior specialists and building succession; Board or private equity exposure is desirable.
• Experience working with major US retailers, ideally including Walmart and/or Target.
• A calm, direct and low-ego leadership style, able to influence across functions and clarify accountabilities without creating bureaucracy.
• The pragmatism to work hands-on where needed, while staying disciplined about building capability rather than becoming the permanent problem-solver.

The benefits included with this opportunity:

• Performance-based bonus aligned to business growth objectives.
• Potential participation in a leadership equity incentive plan.
• Company-wide four-day working week.
• Private health insurance.

Our commitment

Blair West is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion at every stage of the recruitment process. We are committed to fairness, equality, and ongoing diversity training for our team to give our candidates and clients a feeling of belonging during your experience with us. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during their experience with us, please speak to their consultant.