Streamlining logistics and cutting operational costs comes easy to you, but can you sum it all up on two pages?
That’s where most candidates slip up. Even the best directors can lose out on top-tier roles if their CV lacks strategy and focus.
This guide, packed with practical tips and an Operations Director example CV, will help you craft a CV that’s as polished and high-performing as the departments you lead – and one that gets results: interviews, offers, and the roles you deserve.
Operations Director CV
How to write your Operations Director CV
Discover how to craft a winning Operations Director CV that lands interviews with this simple step-by-step guide.
From boardroom-ready formatting to pinpointing which achievements to spotlight, this guide covers everything you need to write a high-impact Operations Director CV.
Writing a CV might just be the hardest part of any job: each section of this guide is designed to show you how to align your content with what senior recruiters want to see – from leadership credentials to operational wins.
Operations Director CV format and structure guidelines
An Operations Director role demands seamless systems and clear oversight – you’ll need to apply those skills to the structure of your CV. If it’s cluttered or clunky, a recruiter may assume your strategy is too; each part of your CV should be broken down into clear, navigable sections which any recruiter can easily skim through.
Here’s how your CV should be laid out:
- Name and contact details – Display your personal info clearly at the top so employers can get in touch easily. Including a photo is entirely optional.
- Profile – Begin with a concise summary that highlights your expertise and what you bring to the role.
- Core skills – Highlight your strongest skills that align with the role’s requirements.
- Work experience – Start with your most recent role and work backwards, showcasing achievements and responsibilities.
- Education – Mention your degrees, certifications, and any training that supports your career path.
- Additional info – Include any additional details, like awards, professional memberships, or hobbies and interests that highlight your skills or personality.
Think of your CV as an executive summary: use bullet points to streamline key information, keep sections clearly divided with bold headers, and choose a professional font that reflects clarity. And keep it under two pages in length – that’s short enough to maintain attention, long enough to make a strong case. Remember that even the most competent candidates will end up in the reject pile if their CV format is full of avoidable mistakes.
Creating a strong Operations Director profile
A professional profile is your elevator pitch – a chance to sum up your leadership experience and sector knowledge in just a few lines.
This intro should clearly signal to the recruiter what kind of operations leader you are: strategic, data-driven, commercially focused, or transformation-oriented. Get to the point fast, and make every word earn its place. Your goal here is to convince recruiters that hiring you will benefit the wider operation.
Operations Director CV profile examples
Profile 1
Strategic Operations Director with over 15 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management for global manufacturing firms. Skilled in optimising cross-functional processes, implementing scalable systems, and leading high-performing teams. Proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency and driving cost reductions across complex, fast-paced environments.
Profile 2
Dynamic and commercially minded Operations Director with 12 years of experience in professional services and SaaS organisations. Focused on aligning operations with business strategy, improving service delivery, and enhancing client satisfaction. Proficient in Lean methodologies, budget control, and cross-departmental collaboration to scale growth.
Profile 3
Results-driven Operations Director with a decade of experience in retail and hospitality operations. Experienced in overseeing multi-site teams, rolling out process improvements, and managing seven-figure budgets. Strong leadership style grounded in data-led decision-making and a deep understanding of customer-focused service models.
Details to put in your Operations Director CV profile
Include these essentials in your CV profile:
- Where you worked – Mention the size or type of business, such as a multinational, high-growth startup, or manufacturing firm.
- Your top qualifications – Whether it’s an MBA, a Lean Six Sigma certification, or a CMI chartership, include your standout credentials.
- Essential skills – Mention strengths like cost control, process improvement, or cross-functional team leadership.
- Business impact – Highlight strategic results, such as reducing overheads or leading a successful restructure.
- Sector expertise – If you’ve worked across sectors (e.g. FMCG, tech, logistics), be sure to mention that versatility.
Show off the core skills recruiters look for
This section gives recruiters a rapid-fire look at your strengths – perfect for busy execs scanning CVs between meetings, or recruiters with a hundred more applicants to get through.
Use 4–8 bullet points to present your most relevant competencies. Tailor your CV skills to the specific role each time – for example, dial up supply chain experience for a logistics-heavy post, or transformation leadership for a change-focused brief.
Avoid buzzwords and keep each point focused on practical, tangible skills that reflect senior-level expertise.
Most important skills for an Operations Director
- Strategic Operational Planning – Developing long-term operational strategies to align with business goals and drive organisational efficiency.
- Process Optimisation and Efficiency – Streamlining workflows and implementing best practices to reduce costs and improve productivity.
- Team Leadership and Organisational Management – Leading cross-functional teams, setting performance targets, and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Budgeting and Financial Oversight – Managing large-scale budgets, overseeing expenditure, and ensuring financial targets are met.
- Supply Chain and Logistics Management – Overseeing procurement, inventory, and distribution processes to maintain seamless operations.
- Risk Management and Compliance – Identifying operational risks, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Performance Monitoring and KPIs – Defining and tracking key performance indicators to assess progress and support data-driven decisions.
- Technology and Systems Integration – Leading the adoption of digital tools and systems to enhance operational capability and scalability.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting – Communicating with executive leadership, investors, and partners to provide updates and align strategies.
- Change and Transformation Leadership – Driving organisational change, leading transformation initiatives, and fostering continuous improvement.
Describing your work experience
This is the backbone of your CV – and where you show how you’ve actually led and improved operations. Go through your work experience in reverse chronological order, placing more detail and space into your most recent positions. Recruiters will be looking for context, scale, and results, so don’t hold back on facts and figures.
Structure each entry with bullet points rather than paragraphs – they’re far easier to scan, and far more effective at showing value fast. And if you’re short on experience at director level, bring forward your most relevant achievements from senior management roles – it’s impact that counts, not just titles.
What’s the correct way to structure job history on your CV?
- Outline – Summarise your role and the nature of the company. Include scale (e.g. size of operation, turnover, team), and mention reporting lines and business focus (e.g. supply chain, finance, production).
- Responsibilities – Detail the scope of your work, highlighting leadership responsibilities, strategic initiatives, and major decisions made, using power words where possible. Mention systems, tools, or frameworks used where relevant.
- Achievements – A useful tip is to focus on quantifiable results. Whether you cut costs, improved lead times, or led cultural change, back it up with numbers to show you deliver results, not just reports.
Sample work experience for Operations Directors
Operations Director | Strathvale Engineering Group
Outline
Directed all UK operational functions for a specialist manufacturing company, focusing on production, logistics, and procurement across multiple sites.
Responsibilities
- Oversaw daily operations across three manufacturing facilities and one distribution centre.
- Led the development and implementation of new production planning systems.
- Managed procurement strategy and supplier negotiations, ensuring on-time delivery of materials.
- Worked closely with finance and sales to align operations with wider business goals.
- Led a team of 120+ staff across production, quality control, and logistics functions.
Achievements
- Reduced operational costs by £750k annually through vendor consolidation and process improvements.
- Improved delivery lead times by 32% via warehouse restructuring and new dispatch protocols.
- Successfully implemented ISO 9001 compliance across all UK sites.
Operations Director | Northgate Legal Services
Outline
Managed operational strategy and resource planning for a national legal services provider, ensuring smooth day-to-day delivery across case management and support teams.
Responsibilities
- Directed back-office and support operations across 5 regional offices.
- Introduced performance tracking tools to monitor case throughput and team productivity.
- Collaborated with HR to implement new training programmes and workforce planning.
- Oversaw procurement, office services, and contract management.
- Supported board-level reporting with operational insights and cost forecasts.
Achievements
- Increased staff efficiency by 22% through workflow automation and process reviews.
- Reduced overheads by £400k annually by centralising support services.
- Achieved 96% internal SLA compliance across departments within one year.
Operations Director | Revana Hospitality Group
Outline
Led multi-site operations for a high-growth hospitality company, overseeing performance, staffing, and commercial targets across 12 UK locations.
Responsibilities
- Managed P&L responsibility for regional operations totalling £25M+ turnover.
- Developed and executed operational strategy to support new site openings.
- Oversaw hiring, training, and performance management of area managers and GMs.
- Introduced new reporting dashboards to track KPIs and customer satisfaction.
- Worked with marketing and finance to align service strategy with commercial objectives.
Achievements
- Increased EBITDA by 18% YoY through cost control and improved labour scheduling.
- Successfully opened 4 new sites within 12 months without delays or budget overruns.
- Reduced employee turnover by 30% via a new leadership development programme.
What should your CV’s education section include?
While qualifications won’t outweigh experience at this level, they still matter – especially when it comes to MBAs, specialist training, or leadership certifications.
Keep it brief and professional. If your most recent qualification was a few years back, just list the essentials. As always, order your education section in reverse chronological order so the most recent (and likely most relevant) ones are at the top.
What qualifications do employers look for in an Operations Director?
- MBA (Master of Business Administration) – Provides a broad strategic understanding of business operations, leadership, and organisational growth.
- Chartered Manager (CMgr) – CMI – Recognised leadership status showing proven skills in managing teams, strategy, and business improvement.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Demonstrates high-level expertise in process efficiency, continuous improvement, and waste reduction.
- ILM Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership – Designed for senior leaders, this qualification focuses on strategic thinking and executive leadership.
- NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety – Shows awareness of risk, compliance, and safety – especially valuable in industrial or manufacturing sectors.