About us

Operations & Supply Chain
Recruitment Done Right.

Our approach

Deep Sector Expertise, Long-Term Relationships.

Mistral was founded in 2010 with a single conviction: that Operations & Supply Chain recruitment should be led by people who genuinely understand the sector. Not generalists. Not volume players. Specialists.

Over more than a decade, we've built a small, focused team across the UK. We work in Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Distribution, Procurement & Sourcing, Warehouse Operations, Operations Management, Inventory Management, and the disciplines that sit alongside them. We know these fields because we've spent years in them — and we place people at every level, from graduate through to board.

We're profitable, privately owned, and we've never chased scale for its own sake. We'd rather be the agency our clients ring first for the roles that genuinely matter.

Built for Serious Growth

We work with a select group of clients across Operations & Supply Chain. That focus means deeper relationships, sharper market insight, and recruitment outcomes that reflect a genuine understanding of where each organisation is heading.

Whether you're scaling a logistics operation, restructuring a procurement function, or building a supply chain team from the ground up — we bring the candidate depth, the sector network, and the process rigour that growing businesses need.

Growth strategy session
Partnership meeting
Partnership

Your Recruitment Partner

We see ourselves as your hiring team's most trusted external partner. Whether you need a single specialist, a fully-built operations leadership team, or a long-term supply chain recruitment relationship — we adapt our model to fit your needs.

Every brief gets the same depth of attention. Every shortlist is built on conviction, not volume. And every relationship is one we plan to be working on for years, not weeks.

"

At Mistral, we believe that the right operations and supply chain talent is the driving force behind efficiency and growth. Our mission is to connect industry leaders with exceptional professionals who are not just experts in their field, but genuinely committed to making a real impact on how organisations move goods, manage risk, and scale.

Mark Whelan
CEO · Caldera
The team

People who know
the sector.

M

Mistral

Director
Oxford
How we work

Sector Depth, Process Rigour

We understand that finding specialist operations and supply chain talent is critical. With demand for experienced professionals rising and the complexity of modern logistics and procurement growing, having a trusted partner who genuinely knows the sector is essential.

Work with us

Sector Specialists

We work exclusively in Operations & Supply Chain. We don't do generalist recruitment, and we don't place outside our sector.

Speed and Breadth

Our network spans Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Distribution, Procurement, Warehouse Operations, and related disciplines across the UK.

Process Rigour

Every brief is treated with the same discipline. Thorough briefing, careful shortlisting, and genuine conviction behind every candidate we put forward.

Long-Term Thinking

We build relationships designed to last. We're here to be your first call for the roles that matter, year after year.

Our journey

How we got here.

A short history of the moments that shaped the firm. From our founding through to today, we've stayed true to one principle: sector depth over scale.

2018

Founded in 2010

A small team with a clear idea: Operations & Supply Chain recruitment done by people who actually understand the sector. We took our first brief that summer.

2020

Permanent and interim, side by side

We extended our offer to cover interim and contract placements. A handful of our earliest clients are still placing roles with us today.

2023

Sector depth across disciplines

We built named expertise across Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Distribution, Procurement & Sourcing, Warehouse Operations, and more — all within the same focused team.

Today

Where we are now

A small, boutique team across the UK. Same operating model — sector-led, relationship-focused, retained where it fits. Profitable since 2013 and growing at a steady pace.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Diverse Teams Drive Better Outcomes.

We are dedicated to fostering Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE&I) within our organisation, recognising that diverse teams bring stronger problem-solving and innovation to operations and supply chain leadership. Whether we're hiring for you, placing you, or welcoming you into our team, we're committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively working to make the operations and logistics industry a welcoming environment for everyone.

Growth strategy session
Join our team

Be Part of Something
Focused.

We partner with leading operations and supply chain organisations to drive efficiency and growth. Our small team benefits from deep sector knowledge, strong client relationships, and a genuine commitment to doing recruitment properly — not chasing volume.

Diverse team celebrating success at office desk.

Questions about working with Mistral

What makes Mistral different from other Operations & Supply Chain recruiters?
We're specialists, not generalists. Founded in 2010, we've spent over a decade working exclusively in Operations & Supply Chain — from supply chain management and logistics through to procurement and warehouse operations. That focus means deeper sector knowledge, stronger candidate networks, and a genuine understanding of the roles we're filling at every level.
Do you only work with large organisations?
No. We work with a select group of clients across the UK, from scaling businesses building their first operations team through to established organisations restructuring supply chain functions. What matters to us is the quality of the relationship and the seriousness of the hiring need, not company size.
How long does it typically take to fill an Operations or Supply Chain role?
It depends on the seniority and specialism, but our focus on depth over volume means we shortlist faster and with more conviction. We don't send 20 CVs and hope one sticks — we send candidates we'd stake our reputation on. Most clients see shortlists within two weeks, with placements typically completed in 4–8 weeks for mid-to-senior roles.
Can Mistral help with contract or temporary Operations & Supply Chain hires?
Yes. We place permanent, contract and temporary candidates across all our specialisms. Whether you need interim supply chain leadership during a transition, temporary warehouse cover, or contract procurement support for a project, we have the network and process to deliver quickly.
What levels do you recruit at in Operations & Supply Chain?
We recruit at every level — from graduate and entry-level operations roles through to board-level supply chain directors and heads of procurement. Our team has the sector depth to assess capability and cultural fit whether you're hiring a logistics coordinator or a VP of Supply Chain.
Do you work on retained or contingent terms?
We work both ways, depending on what suits the role and the relationship. For senior, strategic or hard-to-fill positions, we typically work on a retained or exclusive basis. For more straightforward roles, contingent arrangements work well. We're flexible and transparent about what makes sense for each brief.
Where are you based and do you recruit across the UK?
We're based in Oxford, but we recruit across the entire UK. Our client base and candidate network span the country, and we've placed Operations & Supply Chain professionals in every region — from Scotland to the South West. Location is never a barrier to the quality of service we provide.
How do I get started with Mistral?
The simplest way is to get in touch via our contact page or give us a call. We'll arrange an initial conversation to understand your hiring needs, your business, and where you're heading. From there, we'll outline how we'd approach the brief and what you can expect from us as a partner.