Operating Officer - Distribution

Yellow Zebra Optical is looking for a commercially astute distribution and supply chain leader to run the operational backbone that supports a large optometry and audiology retail and franchise network.

This is a senior management role with serious commercial weight. The successful person will work closely with the Group Chief Operations Officer and other Group Chief Officers, lead a high-performing team, and take accountability for the discipline behind supplier value, landed cost, stock availability, fulfilment, logistics and distribution performance.

This role owns the supply-side commercial engine: supplier negotiations, sourcing, import economics, cost build-up, inventory, warehousing, logistics, product availability and the service levels that enable Retail to make strong consumer-facing decisions.

The mandate

• Lead supplier negotiations and manage supplier relationships to secure value, quality, continuity of supply and favourable commercial terms.
• Own landed-cost discipline, foreign exchange exposure awareness, stock planning, working capital, supplier rebates and distribution margin inputs.
• Run a reliable, scalable distribution platform across procurement, imports, warehousing, fulfilment, logistics, customer service and cross-border support.
• Provide Retail and the GCOO with accurate cost, availability, stock, margin and service-level intelligence to inform retail pricing and commercial decisions.
• Lead the Distribution leadership team across operations, product, finance and relevant systems support.
• Use data and operational discipline to improve service levels, stock turn, aged inventory, cost-to-serve and order fulfilment quality.