Warehouse Operations Manager

About the role

Job Overview

To lead the operational requirements of the Warehouse department (24 hour operation) in line with Finance targets, legal compliance whilst achieving best possible level of service to internal and external Customers, delivered through effective engaging and motivational leadership.

Accountabilities

• Achievement of the daily/weekly/monthly KPI’s for all warehouse functions through effective guidance and coaching of direct reports.
• Lead a team and create an engaging environment and collaborative culture by encouraging direct reports to drive performance and standards, through a balanced approach of recognition and managing performance against agreed KPI’s.
• To control all department resources and costs within agreed finance targets and / or flex accordingly based on volume and customer requirements without compromising safety, people, service and costs.
• Communicates with people at all levels including people on different shifts, different departments and the Depot Leadership team.
• Manages and delivers consistent briefings to the operational team to ensure they are aware of, and adhere to all Company messages, policies and procedures.
• Ensure full warehouse operational compliance through regular monitoring of QHSE and Sustainability standards, focusing on team wellbeing in accordance with the relevant policies.
• Monitoring all investigation activity to understand root cause and make sure that corrective and preventative action, has been implemented and solutions identified or escalated where necessary.
• Monitor stock reports and work collaboratively with wider teams to reduce damage and ensure cost and customer availability KPI’s are met.
• Take an inclusive approach to continuous improvement by reviewing the operation as a whole and recommending and developing opportunities to peers and depot leadership.
• Set clear expectations including KPI, safety and team behaviours to all direct reports by setting annual objectives and ensuring they hold the relevant skills to effectively manage their teams.
• Consistent application of HR standards specifically around recruitment, the management of absence, performance, conduct, safety and service and making sure all documentation is completed to a good quality and handled in line with GDPR.
• Make sure the agency worker process is fully compliant, including recruitment through appropriate PSL agencies, full training and completion of relevant agency documentation.
• Ensure all direct reports across the 24 hour operation are utilising and analysing relevant data from systems such as WMS, One Source and Risk Console to identify issues proactively and drive improvements through direct reports.
• Ensure direct reports are leading required change throughout their teams to ensure initiatives are fully implemented and their teams are engaged throughout the process.
• Health and safety accountabilities: Ensure that the Company Health & Safety Policy and Company Risk Assessments are effectively implemented at site level.

Measures & Key Performance Indicators

Achievement of monthly/daily/weekly KPI’s as detailed in measures and KPI’s in the Warehouse Team Manager job description.

Full conformity to internal and external audit standards

Achievement of Total Cost Per Item for all operational activity as outlined in financial target

Overall warehouse retention % improvement

Recruitment to budget target and seasonal requirements

Budgets/People

1. Financial (e.g. costs/orders/sales/revenue budgets): Capital: Revenue: Variable per site but up to maximum of £4.5m – overall Warehouse budget.

2. People (e.g. staff managed – direct and indirect): Employees (total): Variable per site, but up to 115 overall warehouse headcount.

Jobholder Requirements

Advanced verbal and written English and Numeracy skills.

Proficient level of IT and ability to use such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook.

Strong commercial awareness with the ability to fully understand budget and financial targets

Experience of managing in a fast moving warehousing and distribution environment, preferably from a multi-drop, multi-temperature food service business.

Proven ability to lead and motivate large teams, with excellent people management skills.

Experience of successfully developing team members to drive performance.

Effective communication skills.

Work collaboratively and influence to build strong, trusting relationships with peers and other business departments.

Challenges/Decision Making

Typical challenges faced in the role and decisions needing to be made by jobholder

• Balancing the conflicting priorities and requirements of the day and night shift across the whole operation.
• Reviewing current policies and procedures and having the initiative to seek approval to amend.
• Needs to fully understand various objectives and prioritise to succeed.
• Anticipating changing factors that impact operational and customer requirements.
• Makes effective decisions in ambiguous situations with an understanding of associated risk.
• Managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders even when conflicting priorities exist.
• Exploring opportunities within the operation to exceed KPI targets.
• Influencing others, including those who are not direct reports to implement new ways of working.

About Us

Our journey began back in 1929. Since then, we’ve continued to build a strong and resilient business with a great future.

What We Offer

We want your career with us to be as rewarding as possible. So, you’ll get lots in return for your hard work. That includes benefits that can support your wellbeing and financial security, and give you peace of mind.

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) as a minimum and the opportunity to buy more
• A pension – contribute 4% and we’ll match you (after year 1, we’ll match your contributions up to 6%).
• Life cover that you can increase.
• Access to confidential support and counselling, when you need it.
• A health plan that gives you money back on everyday medical costs for all the family, as well as access to a digital GP.

The extras

• Exclusive range of high street discounts including cinema, tech, travel, fashion, food and drink.
• Get paid as you earn – access to up to 20% of your pay before payday.
• Opportunity to buy dental cover and critical illness cover.

We’re on a journey towards creating the best possible workplace. We’ve got some way to go, but we’re building a diverse and caring workforce. One that’s filled with forward-thinking people who each bring unique talents and skills.