Area Manager

Area Manager Location - Remote/Field Based - Coverage of Leeds, Sheffield and the Midlands Salary - circa £80,000 Per Annum We are looking for an experienced Area Manager to take strategic ownership of a large geographical final-mile operation. Reporting directly to the Director of Delivery Operations, you will have full accountability for cost, service, quality and operational performance across your area. This is a senior leadership position requiring someone who can operate strategically while remaining close enough to the operation to drive standards, challenge performance and deliver meaningful improvement. The Role You will lead a large, complex final-mile operation, managing through a senior operational team and working closely with central support functions to deliver business objectives. Key Responsibilities Will Include: Developing and delivering strategic plans to improve operational performance. Taking full ownership of cost, service and quality across your geographical area. Leading and developing a diverse team of operational professionals, including Area Operations Managers, planners and regional management teams. Driving a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Overseeing parcel operations from the point of handover through to final delivery and returns. Analysing operational data and KPIs to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement. Identifying and implementing process optimisation and efficiency initiatives. Ensuring effective planning and coverage across the area. Working closely with operational development teams to implement change effectively. Maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and customer service. Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, colleagues and union representatives. Taking a proactive approach to competitor and industry insight, identifying best practice that can improve the wider operation. Owning and managing a significant operational budget, identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising service. Identifying operational risks and implementing appropriate contingency plans. Ensuring all relevant regulatory, legal and compliance requirements are met. Coaching and developing senior managers and creating a high-performing leadership culture. About You We are looking for an experienced senior operations leader who has operated within a large, complex, geographically dispersed environment. You Will Ideally Have: Proven experience in senior operational or area management. Experience influencing the strategic direction of a business or significant operational area. Experience managing substantial budgets and delivering against demanding financial targets. Strong programme or change-management experience. Experience working within a combination of employed and self-employed operating models. Experience of working with unions and managing complex employee relations. A strong understanding of performance management, KPIs and continuous improvement. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail. The confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders and influence at all levels. Excellent leadership, coaching and people-development skills. Strong stakeholder-management capabilities. Good working knowledge of Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. A full UK driving licence. CPC would be advantageous. What We're Looking For: This is a senior role for someone who can look beyond day-to-day operations and genuinely take ownership of an entire area. You'll need to be commercially astute, operationally strong and comfortable managing significant budgets, large teams and complex stakeholder relationships. Most importantly, you'll be someone who leads from the front, understands the importance of being visible within the operation and has a track record of turning performance data into tangible improvement. The role is agile and will require regular travel to operational sites nationwide. If you're an experienced Logistics, Distribution or Operations leader looking for a senior opportunity with significant responsibility and influence, we'd be keen to hear from you. Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age