Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Reports to: Operations Director

Location: London based, with travel required to other locations

About Healthxchange:

Founded in 2000, Healthxchange is the leading supplier of medical aesthetic products and services to professionals across the UK & Ireland. Healthxchange proudly partner with award-winning brands including Obagi Medical, Medik8, Jan Marini, and Jane Iredale to strategically commercialise their products in market. We currently supply over 9,000 clinics with a full range of products (Skincare, Injectables, Energy-based devices) and services (software & education) to support their 360 business needs. The company offers a dynamic environment for innovation and growth in the medical aesthetic space.

About the role:

A critical leadership role responsible for establishing and managing our new pharmaceutical-grade warehouse, and overseeing satellite sites across the UK. The Head of Operations will ensure full compliance with GDP and MHRA standards, while developing scalable operational processes and instilling a culture of continuous improvement to support our rapid growth.

This individual will be instrumental in building a best-in-class distribution operation, embedding a high-performance culture, and delivering operational excellence across all sites. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in pharmaceutical or medical-grade, temperature-controlled operations, combined with the energy, ambition, and strategic mindset to thrive in a fast-scaling organisation.

Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Accountable for the day-to-day operations and strategic development across all sites, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution.
• Implement robust SOPs, ensuring adherence to MHRA/GDP and temperature-controlled storage and handling requirements.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient movement of goods between operational sites, adjusting logistics processes and transportation to meet demand and regulatory requirements
• Monitor and improve fulfilment KPIs including OTIF, accuracy, and throughput.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead high-performing operational teams with clear accountability and development pathways.
• Drive a culture of performance, safety, and ownership across all levels.
• Mentor and coach emerging leaders and embed succession planning across the function.

Process Optimisation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, implement, and track continuous improvement initiatives in warehouse layout, systems, and workflows.
• Continuously evaluate appropriate supply chain solutions and partners to optimise supply chain operations
• Ensure technology, automation, and process changes are embedded and scalable.
• Maintain strong partnerships with Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions to ensure alignment.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Standards

• Ensure full site compliance with GDP and MHRA requirements, including audit readiness and documentation controls.
• Lead operational input to regulatory inspections and ensure quality is embedded in all warehouse activities.
• Proactively identify risks and implement controls in line with industry best practices.

Health & Safety Management:

• Manage health and safety policies and procedures in compliance with national regulations
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments to identify hazards and recommend corrective actions
• Provide training and support to employees on health and safety practices and emergency response procedures
• Investigate accidents and incidents, preparing reports and recommendations to prevent recurrence
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, and environmental regulations
• Prepare and submit reports to regulatory agencies as required
• Stay updated on relevant health and safety regulations and industry standards

Facilities Management:

• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and security of company facilities and equipment
• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers for facility-related services, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness
• Monitor facility-related budgets, expenditures, and inventory
• Building and maintaining relationships with approved and validated Vendors incl. MHE

Strategic Planning & Expansion

• Contribute to the operational growth strategy
• Provide operational insights and reporting to the board and wider executive team.
• Develop and maintain relevant supply chain reports and performance metrics to track key indicators, like on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and transportation costs

Requirements:

Essential:

• Strong experience in operations leadership roles within pharmaceutical distribution or medical-grade supply chains
• Deep understanding of GDP, MHRA, and temperature-controlled warehousing regulations.
• Demonstrable experience owning full accountability for site management incl facilities, warehouse operations, carrier management and H&S ideally across multiple sites.
• Strong people management and leadership skills with a track record of building high-performing teams.
• Commercially aware and data-driven, with a bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and making decisions at speed.

Benefits:

Company pension, bonus, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (and increasing with service), staff discount, staff social events, access to Health Assured EA.

Healthxchange is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.