Operations Director

Job Type: Fulltime permanent role

Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package

Location: Onsite in Richmond London

A little bit about us:

We are independent whiskymakers founded in 2000. Our mission is to inspire moments of joy via making the world of scotch whisky a more interesting place. We have built an enviable reputation for creating delicious scotch whiskies in a highly creative and transparent manner. Most recently in October 2023 we were voted in the top 5 admired whisky brands in the world (across all whisky categories) which is a remarkable achievement for a small independent scaleup business. We have ambitious growth targets and exciting plans for the future. We are 28 people strong.

Why we need you

We need someone to put their heart and soul into strategically planning running and leading operations. The good news is that weve got exceptional whiskies that any Operations Director would love to put their name behind. In some other companies this role would be called Supply Chain Director. Our primary markets are in the US and Europe though theres real appetite for our whisky in Asia and Global Travel Retail too. Theres so much opportunity around the world and we need someone with an investigative and inquisitive mind to shape and deliver a highly efficient and sustainable business model.

Operations is the fuel on which our business operates. There have been a number of important positive changes in the last couple of years to our Operations footprint but more needs to be done. You will get the opportunity immediately to shape how we do Operations at Compass Box and in so doing create an incredible legacy.

We are a progressive challenger business known for our creativity and transparency. We enjoy doing things differently at Compass Box in Operations and in the rest of the business. We describe ourselves as heretics with positive intent!

Who will be right by your side

Youll report into the CEO but it is much more of a collaboration than a hierarchy. You will be a key member of the Companys Leadership Team (other members are the CEO CFO President Americas Commercial Director International Marketing Director and Whiskymaking Director). You will have regular exposure to our Board and Investors.

Where it all happens:

We have a lovely new office and blending room in Richmond London but were flexible about where you spend your time. You could be based in London or in Scotland. It will be important for you to spend a reasonable amount of time in the office in Richmond but also with our partners in Scotland.

Your enthusiastic team:

You have three talented and committed direct reports 2 based in Scotland and 1 in Richmond.

Your key responsibilities:

• Participate actively in the Companys Leadership team and be a coleader for delivery of our short and longterm growth objectives.
• Accountable with your team for international logistics purchasing supplier management cask movements warehousing and stock management.
• Manage the whisky supply plan based on short and longterm forecasting ensuring the right stock is always in the right place at the right time.
• Leading and developing the team and the individuals on it. We expect all our leaders to be peoplecentric. We aspire to a high performance generous culture where individuals can thrive. We need this in the Operations team as well as in every other team in the company.
• Manage positive and collaborative relationships with all our key suppliers. As part of this manage supplier SLAs to ensure the highest levels of service and compliance to requirements (including raw materials distributors bottling warehousing).
• Lead transformational business projects to deliver cash efficiencies such as evaluation of the optimal warehouse solution.
• Lead and embed the emerging S&OP process across the company. As part of this develop flexible and intuitive planning processes that cover all aspects of the business including raw materials production stock movements
• Improve our profit (via optimising operational costs including Cost of Goods in a manner consistent with our premium whiskies) via efficient production through management of blending operations; raw material procurement and cost negotiation; and the newproduct development process.
• Live our values embed our culture and be a great ambassador for Compass Box.

A little bit about you:

• You have a positive cando attitude see opportunities not barriers.
• Youre open transparent collaborative and inclusive.
• You are keen to make things as simple as possible and have a strong problemsolving skillset.
• You have an entrepreneurial scrappy mindset happy to roll your sleeves up to make things happen.
• You believe in teamwork with a genuine interest in people their development and wellbeing.
• You have strong influencing and interpersonal skills.

Heres what were looking for professionally speaking:

• A Degreelevel education (or equivalent).
• Proven professional experience of managing all aspects of operations (logistics purchasing planning warehousing and production). Ideally in the alcoholic beverage industry.
• Outstanding organisational skills with an ability to clearly prioritise and manage work.
• Cool under pressure and good at managing conflicting deadlines with an ability to handle multiple projects at once.
• Understanding of HMRC regulations within the alcoholic beverage industry.
• Confident with digital technology / software particularly Excel and operational systems.
• Strong numerical and data analysis skills with a proven record of improving operational efficiency through datadriven solutions.
• A passion for sustainability (we are early in our journey and aspire to be better in this area).
• A genuine interest in what we do.
• Experience in the development and implementation of systems / software / processes.

Compensation and benefits

At Compass Box we believe in paying our employees equal pay for equal work. Individual offers are made dependent upon a candidates prior experience as it pertains to the role. Our total rewards package is designed to attract motivate and retain talented curious people with a passion for innovation collaboration continuous improvement and growth.

Want to know more about us

Read about our Principles and Practices here.

And finally perhaps the most important point of all:

Everybody is welcome. And we mean everybody.

Whatever your background we want to hear from you. If youd love to work with us wed love to hear from you.

Closing Date: Monday 13^thMay 2024