Operations Manager Markets Service, Markets – Retail Markets

Overview

In this role you lead the Markets Service, overseeing Rag, Indoor and Open Markets to ensure high-quality delivery across locations. You’ll manage market teams, plan workforce needs and handle employee relations within council policy. You will drive service improvements, enable change and growth, and support income and customer experience goals. You’ll work with traders and stakeholders to grow the markets, guided by a clear strategy and performance measures.

Pay / Benefits

• West Midlands Pension Fund membership
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days
• My Rewards Scheme – discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support – employee assistance and counselling

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational management of Rag, Indoor and Open Markets to ensure high-quality service across locations
• Manage and develop market teams, overseeing staff performance, workforce planning and employee relations in line with Council policies
• Drive operational and service improvements, leading business change, efficiency initiatives and projects that enhance income generation and customer experience
• Support financial management across the Markets Service, including budget monitoring, debt recovery, performance analysis and financial forecasting
• Manage procurement activities, contracts and supplier relationships to ensure effective delivery of services and value for money
• Develop strong relationships with traders, stakeholders and trade representatives, promoting engagement, communication and market growth
• Lead the development and delivery of market strategies, business plans, promotional campaigns and performance measures to support continued success and growth of the Markets Service

Key requirements

• Degree level education
• Diploma in Markets Management or willingness to achieve this
• Experience delivering services in complex high pressure environment
• Proven management experience in a service organisation of comparable scope and complexity or in Markets Management
• Proven record of managing significant budgets and procuring and managing contracts and services
• Demonstrate high level of self motivation and flexibility with ability to work with minimal oversight
• Experience of leading the delivery of strategic objectives and policies through effective service planning
• High level time management, prioritisation, problem solving and decision making skills
• Experience of delivering major workforce and operational change

• Self-motivation and flexibility
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Leadership and team development
• Budget monitoring and financial forecasting
• Procurement and contract management
• Performance analysis

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