Warehouse & Logistics Operations Manager in Basildon

Warehouse & Logistics Operations Manager

Lead. Improve. Deliver.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced

Warehouse & Logistics Operations Manager to lead operational performance across two busy freight forwarding warehouse facilities .

You’ll take ownership of warehouse, logistics and cargo-handling operations, ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently, compliantly and cost-effectively .

You’ll lead and develop teams, coordinate warehouse, transport and customs functions, manage key stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.

This is a hands-on leadership role.

You’ll be equally comfortable developing strategy and KPIs with senior management as you are stepping onto the warehouse floor when operational pressures demand it.

• Your Mission
• Lead two sites as one operation
• Own performance across both facilities, creating consistent SOPs, processes, KPIs and standards.
• Plan labour, equipment and capacity around changing volumes and priorities.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety and operational discipline.
• Step in during peak periods or operational challenges to maintain service continuity.
• Keep cargo moving
• Oversee air, sea and road freight, including receiving, breakdown, consolidation, storage and dispatch.
• Manage general, hazardous, temperature-controlled and high-value cargo.
• Monitor throughput, turnaround times, accuracy, productivity and service performance.
• Connect warehouse, transport and customs
• Coordinate transport, carriers and haulage providers.
• Manage movements between facilities, ports, airports and customers.
• Improve routing, utilisation and freight costs.
• Work closely with customs teams to support efficient clearances, inspections and documentation.
• Own compliance
• Oversee ETSF and non-bonded stock accuracy, audits, reconciliations and discrepancy resolution.
• Support HMRC requirements and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with

IATA, CAA, HMRC, aviation security, dangerous goods and Health & Safety requirements.

• Maintain robust SOPs, risk assessments, safe systems of work and incident-management processes.
• Lead and develop people
• Manage workforce planning, staffing, shifts and resources.
• Coach, develop and performance-manage warehouse and logistics teams.
• Set clear expectations around safety, quality and productivity.
• Build strong communication across warehouse, transport and customs.
• Develop future operational leaders.
• Drive continuous improvement
• Use operational data, team feedback and customer insight to identify and deliver improvements.
• Contribute to WMS/ERP development, digitalisation, KPI reporting, Lean initiatives, productivity and cost reduction.
• Support capacity planning, budget management and longer-term logistics strategy.
• What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Proven warehouse/logistics management experience within freight forwarding or a similar regulated environment.
• Experience across air, sea, road or multimodal freight.
• Strong understanding of

ETSF, bonded warehousing, customs and international freight documentation .

• Knowledge of relevant IATA, CAA and HMRC requirements.
• Proven people leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience with WMS, ERP or operational systems.
• Data-driven approach to performance management.
• Practical, hands-on leadership style.

Valid FLT certification and ability to operate equipment when required.

Five-year employment history with no gaps , as required for CAA regulatory purposes.

Desirable

• Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business or related discipline.
• IATA DGR, aviation security or customs qualifications.
• CILT, APICS or equivalent professional qualification.
• Lean/Six Sigma experience.
• Experience delivering WMS or warehouse digitalisation projects.
• The Person

You’re a leader, problem solver and commercially minded operator who can balance service, productivity, capacity and cost.

You’ll be calm under pressure, detail-focused and operationally credible, with the ability to build accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy.

Most importantly, you’ll constantly ask

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to shape and improve a multi-site logistics operation with genuine influence over people, processes, cargo flow, performance and future growth.

If you combine strong leadership with hands-on operational credibility , commercial thinking with attention to detail , and high standards with a practical approach , we’d like to hear from you.

Ready to take ownership?

Apply now and tell us what great warehouse and logistics operations look like to you.