Operations Director

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Operations Director – Global Sourcing is responsible for driving operational excellence across the Company’s global sourcing and supply chain functions. The role leads initiatives to optimize processes, enhance operational visibility, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and improve business performance across international operations.

As a key strategic partner to the COO, the incumbent will identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accelerate speed-to-market, and leverage digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to support business growth and operational excellence. The role also serves as a catalyst for enterprise-wide transformation, ensuring operational capabilities continue to evolve in line with the Company’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Lead the continuous improvement and optimization of global sourcing, merchandising, quality, and supply chain operations across all regional offices.
• Develop, standardize, and continuously enhance operating procedures, workflows, and best practices to improve consistency, productivity, accountability, and execution.
• Drive operational excellence across the end-to-end product lifecycle, from product development and sourcing through production, shipment, and delivery.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement sustainable solutions that improve efficiency, execution, and overall business performance.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that simplify processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Supply Chain & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Strengthen critical path management, milestone visibility, and cross-functional coordination to improve speed-to-market and customer responsiveness.
• Collaborate with regional teams to enhance supplier performance and optimize end-to-end supply chain effectiveness.
• Influence and engage stakeholders across functions, regions, and cultures to drive alignment and deliver sustainable operational improvements.
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure the successful implementation and adoption of new processes, systems, and ways of working.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage digital technologies, automation, AI, and data analytics to improve merchandising and supply chain performance.
• Partner with business leaders and the IT team to ensure technology initiatives align with operational priorities and deliver measurable business value.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to strengthen operational agility and competitive advantage.

Performance Management & Strategic Support

• Establish, monitor, and continuously refine key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness, productivity, service levels, and supply chain performance.
• Develop dashboards and executive reports that provide actionable insights and support data-driven decision-making.
• Analyze operational performance to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the COO and executive leadership to support business planning, operational priorities, and enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the COO.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline. An MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive leadership experience in global merchandising, sourcing, supply chain operations, buying agency management, or operational excellence.
• At least five years of experience leading regional or global teams within a multinational organization.
• Demonstrated success in driving operational excellence, process standardization, organizational transformation, and business performance improvement.
• Strong industry experience within buying agencies, sourcing, trading, retail, consumer products, or related sectors.
• Deep understanding of global merchandising, sourcing, product development, supply chain, logistics, and vendor management.
• Proven ability to partner with executive leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives and lead organizational change.
• Strong knowledge of digital transformation, automation, AI, business intelligence, and data analytics within merchandising and supply chain environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights.
• Outstanding communication, stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives across multiple countries, cultures, and business functions.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Connor is an equal opportunities employer. Personal data provided by applicants will be used strictly for recruitment purposes only. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Applicants who are not invited for an interview within 8 weeks may consider their applications filed for future reference.