Retail Operations Director, UK

Entity: Customers & ProductsJob Family Group: Retail GroupJob Description: Are you ready to lead and innovate with our dedicated 6,500-strong retail operations team?You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, compliant and efficient retail operations for a team that spans 317 locations, selling 1.9bn litres of fuel a year and generating $300m of GM p/a, serving in excess of 105m customers on average per year.This role leads a large team, delivering a convenience offer driven by food for now (e.g. Wild bean), food for later (our M&S partnership) and bp branded products (e.g. impulse snacks).Defining the strategy for one of the most critical elements of our business. Continuously improving our operations and delivery during an exciting time of change for bp. Taking a leading role in the energy transition and helping bp deliver it’s net zero carbon ambitions. Driving a customer first mentality throughout the organisation whilst maintaining external relationships with franchisees, dealers and key suppliers, and delivering growth through operational excellence in all aspects of retail, utilising established networks across the organisation.The successful candidate is likely to be based at our Milton Keynes office 2 days a week, 2 days in the field and a day from home.Key AccountabilitiesLeads the creation and maintenance of the Retail Operations strategy. Sets priorities and provides input into execution plans, including assessing feasibility, ensuring adequate resourcing and managing performance targets, costs, cash generation and top line growth.Collaborates with Marketing to oversee onsite execution of marketing programmes. Ensure rigorous application of market space orientation, and implement pricing within set boundaries. Holds ultimate accountability for all sales-related operations within area of responsibility.Ensures the achievement of excellence in operations and consistent delivery of the customer offer. Drives compliance to the operating management system (OMS) and ensures all OMS processes and procedures are implemented within the retail organisation.Builds relationships across the organisation to develop networks to support the execution of programmes and the optimisation of profitability. Works with internal stakeholders to share ideal ways of working and external stakeholders, including industry associations, to improve safety in onsite activities and meet compliance standards.Provides effective leadership to the UK Retail business to ensure excellence in delivery against plans, driving growth, continuously improving operations and build capabilities of the team. In line with continuous conversations, has regular honest and constructive dialogue with team members to support performance and career development.Supports process safety framework delivery by providing resources for developing and maintaining operating and maintenance procedures, developing and maintaining safe work practices, implementing asset integrity and reliability programs, implementing contractor management programs for day-to-day operations and routine maintenance, implementing training and performance programs, implementing local MOC processes, ensuring operational readiness including for start-up following unplanned outages, driving operating discipline in the field and implementing emergency management programs, as applicable.Drives and delivers change within the UK market and wider European business.Drives customer centricity and service leadership through the UK organisation.Essential Education:Degree and MBA qualified (or Equivalent experience)Essential Experience and Job Requirements:Strategic thinker with an extensive and demonstrable track record of delivering excellent commercial results in the (preferably convenience food) retail sectorOutstanding leadership experience in a senior role within a complex multisite organisation with the ability to build, inspire and motivate teams of all levelsExceptional interpersonal and influencing skillsExceptional experience of general management in food retail with expert knowledge of industry share ideal ways of working.Ambitious, driven and highly customer focussed, comfortable with shaping a growth strategy in a highly matrixed, international environmentWhy join us!At bp, we provide an excellent working environment and employee benefits. We offer an open and inclusive culture and a great work-life balance. Tremendous learning and development opportunities are available to craft a career path, life and health insurance, medical care package and many others!We support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and exciting environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to crafting an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.Travel RequirementUp to 50% travel should be expected with this roleRelocation Assistance:This role is not eligible for relocationRemote Type:This position is a hybrid of office/remote workingSkills:Change Leadership, Excellence, Leadership, Strategic Innovation, Strategic ThinkingLegal Disclaimer:We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...