What are we looking for?

As the Director of Operations, you drive organizational growth through disruptive and incremental improvements that propel Vetsource to a best-in-class veterinary pharmacy in every new market. You relentlessly pursue the optimization of processes and systems through an approach that recognizes the value of data analytics as well as the people who implement the necessary changes. Your collaboration skills are second to none - your ability to influence and engage across organizational levels and cultures is an absolute must in this environment that is both entrepreneurial and corporate, innovative yet highly regulated, and collegial but competitive.

Vetsource International will be launching a new business in the UK and then expanding across Europe and APAC. In this context, we are seeking a Director of Operations to lead the operational functions of the business. Using strategic planning and execution, this person will drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across the organization utilizing their people, business, and analytical skills. This role is to ensure that we keep up with the capacity to deliver the product to the pet owner and will be responsible for the operations end to end, from when a pet owner places an order through fulfilment. A function of this role to support continuous improvement and striving for excellence by building operational processes, systems and relationships that support the growth of Vetsource International, supports its customers, and exceeds performance expectations. Work closely with the Vetsource International GM to coordinate the Vetsource Internationalization strategy, roadmap, and project management structure on 4 key dimensions: Business, Digital, Legal and Resourcing. This leader will manage the relationships with the wholesalers, commercial partners, and clinics in addition to ensuring a process is in place to ensure that our business model is complaint with all regulatory requirements in each country that we operate in. As one of the key VSI leaders based in Europe, this role will also hire, train, manage and develop a team once the business model is validated in UK.

What will be your key responsibilities?

The leader in this position is strategic and has a keen eye for detail. They are performance driven and not afraid to test new ideas, learn fast, and reiterate or move on to the next project. Perseverance is key in seeking improvements in every aspect of the value chain. They are comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity as an industry pioneer with different regulatory constraints and customer expectations in each market.

• Operational Leadership- develops, implements, and leads day-to-day operations, setting up and managing commercial partnerships and negotiate contracts. Commercial and end to end logistics optimization. Meets business critical goals by developing and negotiating the agreements and contracts with wholesalers, suppliers, manufactures and all order fulfillment services needed to get the right product to the pet owner. This will require high service level engagement with partners, collaborating with innovative organizations, and providing excellence in the customer experience
• Responsible to ensure Vetsource international meets all regulatory requirements in all countries that we will be launching

Competencies from JD:

Leadership

• Key member of the senior leadership team, contributor to board meetings and other strategic initiatives
• Builds strong and empowered teams who work well Independently
• Dynamic leader who can articulate and translate Vetsource International vision into meaningful work for all associates
• Change champion who can pivot quickly, very comfortable in ambiguous and highly regulated environments
• Work with Vetsource International Leadership team to develop the roadmap and execute the launch successfully into new markets

Operational Strategy

• Develops and implements overarching internal and external operational strategies aimed at maximizing efficiency, productivity, and customer service. Leads day to day operations, monitors and adapts strategies and plans to seamlessly meet future demand in the most efficient way.
• Works with distributors, third party logistics and other partners to develop and optimize operational activities to ensure a smooth user journey
• Commercial set-up: Seek new partners, including but not limited to, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, vet clinics, supply chain companies and negotiate commercial agreements (e.g., financials, SLA, data, etc.)
• Meets business critical goals by developing and negotiating the agreements and contracts with wholesalers, suppliers, manufactures and all order fulfillment services needed to get the right product to the pet owner. This will require high service level engagement with partners, collaborating with innovative organizations, and providing excellence in the customer experience
• Responsible to ensure Vetsource international meets all regulatory requirements in all countries that we will be launching
• Create Business development plan: Working with key stakeholders at Vetsource US, Vetsource International and Mars Petcare to create and build business development plans to shape Vetsource internationalization strategy. Create roadmap in Europe to capture market share, grow revenue, operate efficiently, and create a profitable business within all assigned channels and across all product categories
• Identify strategic partners and build relationships to realize strategic business plans. Partner with leaders within our Mars ecosystem (e.g., Antech, Kinship, MVH, Individualis, mySmartReco) to build a strong value proposition for Vetsource International
• P&L responsibility to ensure we are achieving our sales and profit goals

Process optimization

• Commercial process optimization and lead negotiations with our wholesalers and service providers
• End-to end logistics process optimization (on time and full order delivery, meeting regulatory requirements) and defining and applying processes to safeguard Mars Assets in relation to operations.

• Internal process optimizations: Streamline internal processes to drive efficiency and implements metrics and KPI's to drive change, monitor progress and capture learnings
• Sets reporting and improvement targets for all suppliers, pharmacy workflow and supply chain processes
• Drives teams to exceed performance requirements in the areas of safety, cost control, quality and regulatory

Continuous improvement

• Drives lean improvement initiatives in concert with leadership partners to initiatives related to waste and/or cost reduction, improved efficiency, inventory management and risk mitigation
• Applies quality improvement methodologies to organizational processes in all operational functions
• Ensures wide adoption and awareness of the need to “do it right the first time”
• Identifies and eliminates or mitigates major non-quality cost processes
• Develops, implements, and maintains an effective national strategy by taking knowledgeable risks

Organization and governance

• Organization design and recruitment: Accountable for Europe Vetsource organization design, recruitment, and management including but not limited to operations, commercial strategy, sales growth, customer service, and process optimization as Vetsource expands into Europe
• Governance: Set-up internal governance frameworks such as reporting, comitology, escalation measures, approval matrixes, etc.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.