At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a large-scale warehouse operation and drive performance with your team.
- Company: Join DFDS, a dynamic logistics company focused on growth and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension scheme, free ferry travel, and extensive health support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key leadership role while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in warehouse management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Do you want to lead a large-scale warehouse operation and play a key role in its future growth? Are you an experienced operational leader who can drive performance, develop teams, and deliver outstanding customer service? If so, you could be the newest addition to our team as a Warehouse Operations Manager in Kettering. Be part of the movement - and play your part.
About the role
As Warehouse Operations Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of our 250,000 sq. ft. distribution and cross dock facility in Kettering. Leading a large operational team, you will ensure exceptional service delivery, operational excellence, and full compliance with customer, company, and legal requirements. This is a key leadership position that will support the continued growth of the site, including the transition from a two shift operation to a three shift operation as customer volumes increase.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading the day-to-day operation of the warehouse and cross-dock facility, ensuring customer, productivity, and operational targets are achieved.
- Managing warehouse teams through supervisors and team leaders, fostering a high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability, and teamwork.
- Overseeing inbound, outbound, storage, inventory, and cross-dock activities while maintaining stock integrity and efficient resource utilisation.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, service levels, and cost efficiency.
- Ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, quality standards, and customer requirements.
- Managing operational budgets, labour costs, forecasting activities, and overall cost performance.
- Monitoring and improving key performance indicators including OTIF, productivity, picking accuracy, stock accuracy, labour utilisation, customer service, and Health & Safety performance.
About you
You'll have proven experience in a Warehouse Operations Manager role within a logistics, distribution, supply chain, or 3PL environment, with a strong track record of leading large, fast-paced warehouse operations. Experience managing multi-shift teams, warehouse management systems (WMS), operational budgets, and customer-facing service delivery is essential.
You'll be a strong people leader who can motivate, develop, and inspire teams while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability. Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills are key, alongside the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-moving operational environment.
Experience in Lean Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies would be advantageous, as would IOSH, NEBOSH, or CPC qualifications. Experience supporting site growth, start-ups, or operational transformation projects would also be beneficial.
We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.
Working at DFDS
Join the movement and grow with us. Now about what we can give you. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:
- Life assurance cover.
- Contributory company pension scheme.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips.
- Full employee assistance programme including: Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
- Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers.
- Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
- Access to myStrength, our Wellbeing platform, which has plenty of content to support and improve your mental wellness needs.
- Access to mental health first aid and opportunity to join support webinars with a focus on all areas of positive wellbeing.
While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.
Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply Now. If you think your personality, skills, experience, and desire match this role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible, as we’re keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis. We look forward to hearing from you.
Warehouse Operations Manager in Kettering employer: DFDS UK & Ireland
DFDS UK & Ireland is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Little Shaws, Scotland, where you can thrive as a Warehouse Supervisor. With a strong emphasis on safety and service quality, the company fosters a collaborative culture that encourages team growth and development, alongside competitive benefits such as life assurance and a pension scheme. Join us to be part of a supportive team that values your contributions and invests in your professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Warehouse Operations Manager in Kettering
✨Get to Know Local Distribution Centres
Start hanging around local distribution centres and warehouses, like the ones that might belong to DFDS UK & Ireland. Many times, they have sign-up sheets for job openings or even informal meet-ups that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Talk to Recruiters and Employment Agencies
There are loads of recruitment agencies that specifically focus on warehouse and logistics roles. Get in touch with them and let them know you’re looking for full-time work. They often have inside info on openings before they're advertised!
✨Brush Up on Your Skills
Think about the specific skills that are hot in the warehouse sector right now, like inventory management software or health and safety protocols. We can help you find resources to polish up your abilities, which can make you stand out when you're looking at those full-time gigs.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don't forget to keep an eye on our website for any full-time listings at DFDS UK & Ireland. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in logistics and warehousing!
We think you need these skills to ace Warehouse Operations Manager in Kettering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience with Inventory Management:When you're whipping up your CV, make sure to spotlight any experience you've got in inventory management or warehousing. We love to see proficiency in stock control systems or previous roles where you've managed inventory levels. Show us how you can keep things organised and running smoothly!
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In the warehouse and logistics field, attention to detail is key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you've caught mistakes or streamlined processes in the past. Let us know how your precision can contribute to our team at DFDS UK & Ireland.
Get Familiar with Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to warehousing or logistics—like health and safety or forklift operation—make sure they shine on your CV! We appreciate all the qualifications that show you're serious about the role and keeping a safe, efficient workspace.
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:Logistics can be unpredictable, so if you've tackled any significant challenges in previous positions, tell us all about it! Use your cover letter to highlight how you've adapted to situations, such as changes in supply or unexpected delays. We want to see your resourcefulness in action for this full-time role at DFDS UK & Ireland.
How to prepare for a job interview at DFDS UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Warehouse Systems
Familiarise yourself with popular warehouse management systems like SAP or Oracle. If you have experience using these or similar tools, be prepared to discuss how you utilised them to improve efficiency or accuracy in inventory management.
✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Skills
In the logistics arena, unexpected challenges pop up all the time. Be ready to share some examples of when you faced a logistical hiccup and how you tackled it. This shows you can think on your feet and keep things running smoothly.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Since it’s a full-time position, expect questions about your ability to work in a team in a busy warehousing environment. Share experiences where you collaborated with others, maybe to meet tight deadlines or manage large shipments, ensuring you showcase your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Safety First! Talk About Protocols
Logistics roles require a real understanding of safety protocols. Brush up on basic safety guidelines and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented or adhered to these in past roles. This shows that you’re serious about your role in maintaining a safe working environment.
