Distribution Centre Leader - 24/7 Ops & People Champion

This position is full time and based at our Hemel Hempstead Distribution Centre. As a Distribution Centre General Manager, you will be responsible for the cost-effective management of all Warehousing and Distribution operations and associated activities. You will lead the improvement of customer service through operational efficiency and look at reduction of costs whilst ensuring that the distribution centre operates efficiently, safely and legally. Strong people leadership skills are a must for this position.

This role requires someone capable of working under pressure, displaying a good analytical approach to work to deliver business results and to achieve performance and service levels, while being open to and actively championing initiatives that foster a diverse, inclusive and engaging culture across the distribution centre. This role will have over 250+ indirect reports and 2 direct reports. As the DC is a 24/7 operation, there will be the need to be flexible for occasional weekend and night work. This role has a company car allowance.

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing all operational activities for a fast-moving Distribution Centre.
• Demonstrating exceptional leadership capability and having extensive people management experience, with the ability to inspire, influence and develop a team of approximately 250 colleagues.
• Delivering operational KPIs to tight deadlines and driving improvements by engaging teams and embedding a positive, inclusive, and performance-led culture.
• Fostering an inclusive and engaging environment, where colleagues feel respected, valued and able to contribute their best regardless of their background.
• Promoting behaviours that build trust, psychological safety and a strong sense of belonging across all teams and shifts.
• Championing diversity values, ensuring decision-making, communication, and people processes reflect a commitment to fairness, equity, inclusion and respect.
• Ensuring a Safety first culture is live within the site with proactive controls to ensure the highest H&S practices are in effect.
• Supporting your direct and indirect reports with their functions; Transport, Warehouse, Health and Safety, Facilities and People Team.
• Ensuring the depot stockholding facilities are created to maximise depot distribution capacity.
• Championing the development of people to support a robust succession and talent plan within your site and the network.
• Improving productivity performance and identifying opportunities for the continued growth of the business.
• Accountability for ensuring any new initiatives are implemented and achieved in accordance with company guidelines.
• Preparing, managing and controlling DC capital and revenue budget.
• Ensuring that the most cost-effective methods of operations are used whilst achieving the level of service to stores as agreed with the client.
• Ensuring the RSC is adequately staffed to receive stock and manage the despatch to stores, meeting the high quality standards demanded by the business.
• Managing stocktakes and audits within the agreed deadlines.
• Monitoring all onsite contracts to ensure they provide high quality service in a cost-effective manner and within budget.
• Monitoring a full site security operation to ensure adequate protection of property, equipment and stock.

Key Capabilities:

• Commitment and an ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent people management skills and the ability to develop self and others, including building inclusive, high performing teams that value diverse perspectives and foster a strong sense of belonging.
• Experience of applying a working knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Health & Safety, Employment Law, Discrimination etc.
• Ability to effectively plan labour and resource to deliver operational requirements to a timely manner whilst meeting agreed KPIs and Service Levels.
• Able to identify problems and provide effective business solutions, adopting creative thinking and encouraging input from diverse teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Effective team worker and confident and positive communicator, able to engage a wide range of colleagues, promote open dialogue, and support a collaborative workplace culture.
• Experience in negotiations within a unionised environment.

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrate high levels of initiative, focus, proactive approach, commitment and flexibility, including leading cultural initiatives and strengthening inclusivity and team engagement.
• Excellent understanding of multi-temperature warehouse / transport procedures and compliance.
• Experience of volume, cost planning and budgeting.
• Senior Management experience in a FMCG environment of at least 3 years.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 office knowledge.