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A fractional head of operations and supply chain for growing brands
A senior head of operations working inside your business for an agreed number of days each month. We own planning, inventory, suppliers and fulfilment so the founders can get back to building the brand, and we leave behind a function that runs without us.
What you get
Fractional means senior experience without a full-time salary. Paul Barnett-Gagg has spent more than two decades inside the supply chains of global and growing brands, including Smith & Nephew, Nestlé and Nature’s Bounty, and led supply chain operations at Dr Organic. He brings that rigour to SMEs, at the speed and budget of a growing business.
- Demand planning and S&OP that the whole team uses
- Inventory and cash control, from reorder points to slow-moving stock
- Co-manufacturer, packaging and supplier management
- Board-ready operational KPIs and cost-to-serve analysis
- Building, hiring and mentoring the operations team
Who it suits
- Founder-led consumer brands where growth is starting to outpace systems and spreadsheets
- Businesses with no head of supply chain or operations, or one who is stretched across too much
- Brands working with co-manufacturers, packaging suppliers and 3PLs that need firmer control of cost, stock and service
- Teams preparing for a system change or a move to a new warehouse partner
Our experience is in beauty and haircare, personal care, vitamins and health, pharma and medical devices. We are based in the UK and work with brands internationally.
How a retainer runs
- 1
Diagnose
A short, focused review of your planning, stock, suppliers and numbers.
- 2
Plan
Agreed priorities, the days each month, and the KPIs we will be judged on.
- 3
Deliver
We run the function alongside your team, suppliers and systems.
- 4
Hand over
Documented processes and a team that can run them without us.
Common questions
What is a fractional head of operations?
A senior operations and supply chain leader who works with your business part-time, for an agreed number of days each month, instead of a full-time hire. They own the function day to day and work as part of your leadership team.
How many days a month do you work?
It depends on the size of the operation and what needs fixing. We agree the number of days after a short diagnostic and review it as the business changes.
Is this a permanent arrangement?
The aim is to leave documented processes and a team that can run the function without us, and the retainer can be reduced or wound down once it does.
Related services
Tell us where your operation is under strain.
A 30-minute call is enough to know whether we can help. No pitch deck, just a conversation about your brand and what is getting in the way of growth.