Operations Analyst / Co-ordinator

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Marvellous Maps is a small, independent map publishing business that aims to inspire great adventures, liven up walls and put enormous grins on faces. Our folded, flat and framed maps entertain and inspire people to explore Britain’s best bits, with well-researched, humorous content and a strong belief that maps should be fun, not just functional. We began life in 2014, and became a certified B Corporation in 2021. We’re proud to support three fantastic British environmental charities (Trees for Life, Surfers Against Sewage and the John Muir Trust). We’ve had some success over the first 10 years of being in business, and we’ve got high ambitions for the next 10 years and beyond - this role will be crucial in achieving them. 

We're committed to diversity, equality and inclusion. Our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire, develop and promote great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. In our quest to entertain and inspire people to explore Britain’s best bits, we’re building a culture where difference is valued. Come and be part of our adventure!

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Operations Analyst / Coordinator role is a broad-ranging role with a clear pathway for promotion to Operations Manager (and beyond). The role reports directly to and involves close collaboration with the Managing Director, as well as interacting with the Head of Marketing, other team members and some of our key external stakeholders. The essential part of the role involves helping with the smooth running of the business, by carrying out our core processes to a high standard, as well as improving those processes to help the business become better, more efficient, better able to grow and adapt, and (as a certified B Corp), improving our social and environmental impact. There is huge potential to learn, develop and progress fairly quickly towards a more senior operational role and to broaden responsibilities as you go. 

The Operations Analyst / Coordinator role is, like all our roles, both remote (please be UK-based) and flexible in terms of working hours (as far as possible within the constraints of the role). It’s a full-time or close-to-full-time role (we can offer some flexibility there, but equally the role will suit someone who can offer some flexibility as well). The role is initially envisaged as freelance, with the potential for later transition to an employee role.

ABOUT YOU

You'll have at least 2 - 3 years’ operational experience in a relevant sector (publishing / e-commerce / travel-related / gifts / related), and a skill set broadly consistent with an operations director / COO career path. You’ll want to play a crucial role in a small, independent business / B Corp, and want to be in it for the long haul because you know the deeper satisfaction that comes from finding your professional home, building long-lasting professional relationships and achieving great things together. Extra points for loving travel and adventure around Britain… and chuckling at funny place names, too, of course! 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities will begin with supporting our core processes and progressing from there, at a pace that allows you to get fully up to speed with the business and role, as well as taking advantage of opportunities for increased responsibility. There will be some flexibility - we’re not expecting you to be an expert across all areas. These are the core aspects of the role:

• Customer service, order processing & logistics - interacting with customers to ensure they're as happy as can be, continually improving our service levels, and all aspects of getting our products to our customers.
• Stock & suppliers - helping manage our stock and supply chain, including printing and production.
• Processes & infrastructure - managing and improving business processes, instilling good practice and leveraging technology to increase quality and efficiency.
• Finance - helping with our financial processes, including forecasting / scenario planning and managing costs and the overall financial health of the business (working closely with our accountant). 
• Risk, legal & compliance - helping understand, evaluate and respond to the risks we face (including contracts / legal work) and ensure we comply with relevant laws / regulations.
• Team planning, communication & culture - helping keep the team informed and organised, supported by good planning and communication, and helping develop our culture as the business develops.
• Reporting, analysis and insight - delivering high quality performance metrics and providing analysis, insight and recommendations for improved processes / performance.
• CSR / social & environmental impact - learning about and supporting on our CSR ambitions, including B Corporation obligations.

In addition, there will be opportunities to contribute to other areas of the business.

REQUIREMENTS

• A skill set consistent with an operations director / COO career path - experience / knowledge of most of the areas listed above, and a commitment to learning about the others. 
• At least 2 - 3 years’ good operational experience in a relevant sector (publishing / e-commerce / gifts / related).
• Business awareness - being entrepreneurial and commercially astute, interested in all facets of the business and in business in general. 
• Motivation and organisation - being positive, self-starting and well organised, in order to GSD!
• Communication and collaboration - being strong in all facets of communication, remote team-working, relationship-building and stakeholder management.
• Structured analysis and problem-solving - this includes liking spreadsheets! 
• Focus on quality and attention to detail - yep, some professional pedantry required!

NICE-TO-HAVES:

• People management experience
• Project management experience
• Startup experience / knowledge of entrepreneurial techniques 
• Tech skills relevant to key processes, e-commerce, workflow / automation, etc
• Knowledge of environmental responsibility and B Corp standards
• Knowledge of Britain, from a travel / adventure / discovery perspective (the topics of our main map range)

WHAT WE’RE OFFERING

• Competitive pay and pay progression
• Potential equity scheme participation
• Flexible hours and location (along with regular opportunities for in-person meetings)
• Structured support for your learning and development
• Opportunities to progress, take on more responsibility (and potentially broaden role)