At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and optimisation of warehouse systems for a growing manufacturing business.
- Company: Dynamic £20m manufacturing company aiming for rapid growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, pension, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a high-growth journey and work directly with decision-makers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building critical operations from the ground up.
- Qualifications: 5-10+ years in warehouse/WMS roles with hands-on leadership experience.
Location: Yorkshire / M62 Corridor (Leeds / Bradford / Manchester)
Salary: £65,000 – £80,000 + Bonus + Benefits
Our Client is a £20m manufacturing business with a clear ambition to grow to £50m+. We are investing heavily in our operations, systems, and people to make that happen. This is a build role. We’re looking for a WMS Lead to design, implement, and optimise our warehouse operation and systems from the ground up creating a scalable platform for the next phase of growth. This is a high dynamic role that will have a major impact upon the overall business.
In this role you will take ownership of the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Distribution Centre (DC) setup, ensuring the physical operations and systems work seamlessly together.
You’ll play a critical role in:
- Improving warehouse efficiency
- Fixing stock accuracy
- Reducing manual processes
- Enabling scalable fulfilment
You’ll work closely with leadership and be hands-on in the warehouse during setup and optimisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
- DC Setup & Warehouse Design - Design warehouse layout (zones, bins, flow). Define picking strategies (batch, wave, zone). Implement barcode scanning and tracking. Optimise goods-in, putaway, replenishment, and dispatch.
- WMS Ownership & Implementation - Experience with systems such as SAP, Extended Warehouse Management, Oracle WMS, Manhattan WMS. You will:
- Configure warehouse structure (locations, bins, SKUs)
- Set up system rules (putaway, picking logic)
- Support integration with ERP and order channels
- Lead testing (UAT) and go-live
Experience
- 5–10+ years in warehouse / WMS roles
- Proven experience building teams, setting up or redesigning a warehouse or DC
- Experience implementing a WMS (not just using one)
- Background experience in any of the following: ecommerce fulfilment, FMCG, wholesale distribution, apparels and textiles.
Mindset
This is a growing business not a corporate environment. We need someone who is:
- A builder, not just a manager
- Comfortable getting hands-on in the warehouse
- Practical and commercially focused
- Able to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Experienced in scaling operations (ideally £10m–£50m stage businesses)
Salary & Benefits
- £65,000 – £80,000 base salary
- Performance bonus
- Pension
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Real progression opportunity as the business scales
- Be part of a high-growth journey (20m - 50m)
- Own and build a critical function from the ground up
- Work directly with decision-makers
- Make a visible, measurable impact on the business
If you’ve built or transformed a warehouse operation and want to do it again with real ownership please get in touch to discuss. This is a real opportunity to be part of a business on a high growth journey where you can make a visible and measurable impact on a business.
Head of Technology in Huddersfield employer: Always Candid
Contact Detail:
Always Candid Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technology in Huddersfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've got experience with WMS or warehouse design, consider creating a portfolio or case studies to demonstrate your expertise. This can really set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your hands-on experience. Since this role is all about getting stuck in, prepare examples of how you've improved warehouse operations or tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for being part of our growth journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technology in Huddersfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Technology role. Highlight your experience with WMS and any hands-on leadership you've done in warehouse settings. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our growing business!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for building and optimising warehouse systems, and explain why you're excited about this opportunity with us. Let your personality come through – we love a bit of character!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that relate to the job description. Whether it's improving stock accuracy or implementing a new WMS, we want to see how you've made a tangible impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Always Candid
✨Know Your WMS Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in various Warehouse Management Systems, especially those mentioned in the job description like SAP and Oracle WMS. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these systems and how you've implemented or optimised them in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Leadership
This role requires a builder mentality, so be prepared to share specific examples of when you’ve been directly involved in warehouse setups or redesigns. Highlight your ability to train teams and troubleshoot issues on the floor, as this will demonstrate your practical approach.
✨Emphasise Process Optimisation Skills
Talk about your strategies for improving warehouse efficiency and stock accuracy. Bring up any successful projects where you reduced manual processes or enhanced picking speed, as these are key aspects of the role that the company is looking to improve.
✨Align with Their Growth Mindset
Since this is a growing business, express your enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced environment. Share your experiences in scaling operations and how you can contribute to their ambitious growth plans from £20m to £50m, making it clear that you’re not just looking for a management role but a chance to build something impactful.