Operations Manager

What’s the role?

We’re an indie board game company based in Clerkenwell. From quiz games to drawing games, TV game shows to mobile apps, we like to turn our hands to all sorts. No matter what the project, we always try to stick to one golden rule: to make sure our games are easy to understand, fun to play and guaranteed to get the party started.

We’re on the hunt for an Operations Manager to join our Operations team. This role will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end operational flow of products across key markets, ensuring efficient order fulfilment, inventory accuracy, and strong performance across third-party logistics (3PL) partners. The role acts as a critical link between Operations, Sales, and external logistics providers, driving continuous improvement, cost efficiency, and service excellence.

Sounds like the job for you? Well then, keep reading!

What will you be doing?

Order Fulfilment & Logistics Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with 3PL providers across the UK, US, Germany, and Canada.
• Act as the primary liaison between Operations and Sales teams to ensure alignment on priorities and execution.
• Drive operational efficiencies and continuous improvement through contract negotiations, systems integration, and performance management against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
• Oversee the Shipping Manager and ensure effective coordination of all logistics activities.
• Manage all inbound freight from offshore suppliers into the UK, US, and Germany, ensuring cost efficiency, timeliness, and compliance.
• Process and approve monthly 3PL invoices, identifying opportunities for cost savings and optimisation.
• Manage national retailer orders, including releasing orders in SAP, coordinating with warehouses and sales teams, and ensuring compliance with delivery requirements.
• Ensure the timely and cost-effective movement of all global freight, aligned with agreed budgets and delivery timelines, proactively managing any risks or delays.

Stock Management & Allocation

• Maintain accurate inventory records across ERP systems and warehouse management systems.
• Identify and flag aged or slow-moving stock to Sales teams to support clearance strategies.
• Manage stock reworks and ensure alignment between SAP and warehouse stock levels.
• Oversee stock takes and cycle counts in collaboration with logistics partners.
• Allocate stock across all channels, including national retailers, independent retailers, ex-works customers, Amazon, and eCommerce, ensuring accurate system allocation.

Retailer Demand Forecasting

• Partner closely with Sales teams to manage and track retailer forecasts.
• Monitor changes in demand throughout the year and ensure alignment with allocated stock levels.
• Track order intake against forecast and proactively flag risks or discrepancies.
• Analyse retailer stock levels and sell-through data, comparing performance against forecasts to inform decision-making.

Compliance & Sustainability

• Review supplier manuals to ensure all products and shipments meet retailer compliance requirements. Ensure 3PL Orders are compliant to avoid retailer chargebacks.
• Manage packaging waste compliance and ensure adherence to relevant regulations.
• Support B-Corp initiatives by providing emissions and carbon footprint data from all 3PL warehouses.

Reporting & Systems

• Utilise SQL, Excel, and Google Sheets to support reporting and data analysis for Operations and Sales teams.
• Provide insights to improve operational efficiency and commercial decision-making.

Environmental & Social Responsibility

• Oversee the disposal and rework of damaged products, prioritising reuse and repurposing wherever possible.
• Ensure environmentally responsible recycling and disposal practices where reuse is not viable.
• Manage packaging reduction and plastic-free initiatives in partnership with warehouse operations.

Team Development

• Provide leadership and development support to the Retail Operations Executive.
• Manage and support the Shipping Manager to ensure high performance and effective delivery of inbound logistics operations.

Requirements

What is Essential

• Proven record of managing an operations team in a similar environment
• Experience managing 3PL providers and international freight
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills

• Commercial awareness with a focus on cost efficiency
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working with ERPs or other supply chain systems
• Someone who is highly proficient and experienced with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Sheets) and Extremely Competent with Google Sheets and Excel: basic formulas, Xlookups, Pivot Tables.

What is Desirable

• Someone who loves board games!

Benefits

£500 holiday bonus & lots of free board games

Bupa Healthcare plus Employee Assistance Programme - Counseling

Discounted gym memberships

Monthly yoga

Casual dress

Company events

Cycle to work scheme