Operations Director

About the role

VPZ, the UK's leading vape retailer with 200 stores and a growing ecommerce platform, is seeking an experienced Operations Director for its Newbridge head office. This is a broad, commercially focused role covering the full operational engine of the business, with accountability extending beyond traditional retail leadership. The person appointed will lead the execution of the operational strategy and drive performance across the estate.

Key responsibilities

• Retail and sales performance: own performance across 200 stores including revenue, conversion, ATV, UPT and like-for-like growth; understand the shop floor, lead and challenge the Area Sales Manager structure, set and enforce customer experience standards, and work with Buying and Marketing to maximise range, availability, footfall and in-store execution.
• Marketing operations: ensure campaigns are delivered on time, in store and compliant; oversee POS, signage and promotional execution; control marketing budgets and supplier relationships.
• Property: own the retail estate including leases, renewals, rent reviews and landlord relationships; lead new store openings from site selection to fit-out; keep stores and offices safe, compliant and well maintained.
• Human resources: provide hands-on leadership of HR, personally handling disciplinary, grievance, redundancy and tribunal cases, ensuring compliance with UK employment law, and driving recruitment, workforce planning and capability building for a workforce of 600+.

Required profile

• Proven experience as an Operations Director or equivalent in a large multi-site retail business with 100+ stores.
• Track record of driving sales performance and P&L outcomes, not just managing processes.
• Strong, practical HR knowledge with experience handling complex employee relations.
• Solid property experience covering leases, negotiations and estate strategy.
• Confidence leading large, layered teams and holding people to account.
• Commercial mindset focused on numbers, margins and results; hands-on, visible and decisive; calm under pressure and credible at Board level.