Background & Client Needs
Hunters Contracts, a specialist provider of contract furniture solutions, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Operations Manager to strengthen the day-to-day management of its warehouse, logistics operations and business premises.
The role was central to maintaining high operational standards across the organisation, with responsibility for quality management, environmental performance, health and safety, logistics, premises management and team leadership.
Hunters Contracts required a commercially aware and highly organised professional who could manage a fast-paced, time-sensitive operation while protecting the company’s established accreditations and ensuring its Dagenham and London locations remained safe, compliant and fully operational.
A key requirement was experience managing and maintaining ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, alongside SafeContractor and FSC certifications.
The Role & Candidate Profile
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Operations Manager would take responsibility for a broad range of operational activities across the business.
Quality & ISO Management
The successful candidate needed to maintain and develop the company’s management systems, ensuring continued compliance with:
- ISO 9001 Quality Management
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management
- ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety
- SafeContractor accreditation
- FSC certification
The role required strong attention to detail, robust documentation and the ability to embed compliance into everyday operational practices.
Premises & Facilities Management
The Operations Manager was responsible for ensuring that all business premises remained safe, secure and fully operational.
Responsibilities included coordinating maintenance, managing security arrangements, overseeing workplace health and safety and ensuring facilities supported the needs of employees and wider business operations.
Operational & Logistics Management
The role involved planning, scheduling and reviewing workloads across warehouse and logistics activities to ensure operational targets were achieved efficiently and cost-effectively.
This required close coordination of resources, priorities and activities that could affect product handling, delivery schedules and customer commitments.
Health & Safety
The Operations Manager needed a strong understanding of workplace health and safety requirements and the confidence to ensure appropriate standards were maintained throughout warehouse, logistics and premises operations.
Relevant qualifications such as IOSH and CSCS were considered advantageous.
Team Leadership
Leading the warehouse and logistics teams was a major part of the position.
The successful candidate needed to motivate employees, establish clear expectations and maintain high standards of performance in an environment where deadlines and customer commitments were critical.
Customer-Focused Operations
Hunters Contracts required somebody who understood that operational performance ultimately affects the customer experience.
The successful candidate therefore needed to combine strong internal management with a clear focus on reliability, service quality and delivering against client expectations.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search for Operations Managers with experience across logistics, warehouse operations, compliance, premises management and ISO-accredited environments.
Our assessment process focused on more than technical competence.
Candidates also needed to demonstrate the ability to remain calm under pressure, lead teams effectively, communicate confidently with senior stakeholders and manage competing operational priorities.
Cultural fit was equally important. Hunters Contracts required an individual capable of building strong relationships across the organisation while maintaining the structure, accountability and attention to detail required within a highly regulated operational environment.
Outcome & Impact
Maxwell Stephens successfully placed a highly experienced Operations Manager who met the technical, operational and leadership requirements of the position.
The successful candidate brought strong experience in ISO management, logistics and team leadership while demonstrating the interpersonal qualities required to operate effectively across different areas of the business.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Strengthened the coordination of warehouse, logistics and premises activities, helping create smoother and more consistent day-to-day operations.
Stronger Compliance Management
Provided effective oversight of ISO standards and wider accreditations, supporting Hunters Contracts in maintaining its quality, environmental and health and safety commitments.
Enhanced Team Performance
Introduced strong leadership across warehouse and logistics teams, supporting accountability, productivity and consistently high standards.
Improved Premises Management
Ensured the company’s Dagenham and London locations remained safe, compliant and operationally effective.
Greater Operational Resilience
The candidate’s ability to remain composed in a time-sensitive environment helped strengthen decision-making and maintain service continuity when operational pressures arose.
Strong Cultural Fit
Beyond technical capability, the successful candidate developed productive working relationships across teams and aligned closely with Hunters Contracts’ customer-focused culture and values.
The placement demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to recruit professionals for roles that extend beyond traditional Facilities Management, identifying candidates who can combine operations leadership, logistics, compliance, quality management and workplace responsibility within a single senior position.
Looking for an experienced Operations Manager to strengthen your facilities, logistics or business operations? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.