CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share-and-reuse business model, the world’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact. 

What does that mean for you? You’ll join an international organization big enough to take you anywhere, and small enough to get you there sooner. You’ll help change how goods get to market and contribute to global sustainability. You’ll be empowered to bring your authentic self to work and be surrounded by diverse and driven professionals. And you can maximize your work-life balance and flexibility through our Hybrid Work Model.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities May Include:

• Supervise, develop and coach team members to meet production targets, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts through data analysis, root cause identification, and the implementation of corrective and systemic change plans.
• Oversee all quality-related issues during shifts, ensuring ownership, resolution, and proactive measures to prevent recurrence..
• Champion a zero-harm culture by identifying areas of safety weakness, developing improvement plans, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
• Lead root cause analysis for incidents occurring during shifts, implementing preventative measures and corrective actions as necessary.
• Monitor and ensure consistent, timely responses to safety and production-related concerns, driving accountability across all shift activities.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence by setting clear expectations for performance, safety, and continuous improvement on a shift basis.

Operations Lead
Location: CHEP Durham, Spennymoor, DL16 6JE
Type: Full Time, Permanent Monday to Friday days.

Lead a newly restructured operation and help build a high-performing, data-driven culture.

CHEP is looking for an experienced Operations Lead to join our Durham site during an exciting period of transformation and investment. Reporting to the Plant General Manager, you'll lead Production and Yard Operations through a team of Supervisors and frontline leaders, helping shape the future of the site.

This is a highly visible leadership role with responsibility for developing people, improving operational performance, embedding new ways of working, and driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

If you're passionate about people leadership, operational performance, and leading change, we'd love to hear from you.

What We're Looking For

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing, production, logistics, or operational environment.
• Experience leading and developing Supervisors, Team Leaders, or frontline managers.
• Strong understanding of KPIs, operational performance, and data-led decision making.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Confident managing employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary processes.
• Strong Health & Safety focus and commitment to operational excellence.
• A coaching leadership style with a passion for developing talent and building capability.
• Resilient, collaborative, and comfortable leading through change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Production and Yard Operations through a team of Supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Embed and develop the site's new operating structure.
• Drive performance through effective use of operational data, KPIs, and performance metrics.
• Develop leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Deliver continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, and performance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
• Manage employee relations activities and support organisational change initiatives.
• Ensure high standards of Health & Safety, compliance, and operational performance.

Why Join CHEP?

• Opportunity to shape a newly restructured operation.
• Significant influence over culture, leadership capability, and site performance.
• Ongoing investment and improvement projects across the Durham site.
• High level of autonomy and visibility within the business.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact while developing your own career within a global organisation.

What's In It For You?

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus opportunity, typically 10% of base salary
• Single Private healthcare.
• Share scheme.
• Flexible benefits package.
• 25 days holiday plus the option to buy and sell additional leave.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Life Assurance and Employee Assistance Programme.

About CHEP

CHEP is a global leader in supply chain solutions, helping move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organisation on earth. Join us and play a key role in building a safer, smarter, and more effective operation at our Durham site.

Remote Type

Not Remote

Skills to succeed in the role

Adaptability, Computer Literacy, Data Analysis, Delegation, Empathy, Experimentation, Mathematic Literacy, Scheduling, Taking Ownership, Teamwork, Understand Customers, Written Communication

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing his or her potential. This means harnessing the unique skills and experience that each individual brings and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Individuals fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as Brambles or CHEP representatives have scheduled interviews and offered fraudulent employment opportunities with the intent to commit identity theft or solicit money. Brambles and CHEP never conduct interviews via online chat or request money as a term of employment. If you have a question as to the legitimacy of an interview or job offer, please contact us at [email protected].