Shift Operations Manager in Tilbury

Job Title: Shift Operations Manager

Location: Port of Tilbury

Hours: 4 on 4 off rotation of days and nights including weekends

Compensation: £56,500

At Forth Ports, we keep trade, logistics, and infrastructure moving. Every day, our teams support the flow of goods, materials, and services that businesses and communities rely on, helping to power economic growth across the UK and beyond. Our people are at the core of everything we do, and their expertise, commitment, and innovation drive our success.

With our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042, we're investing heavily in sustainable and digital technologies, including major growth in offshore wind and greener port operations. For you, this means joining a business that's evolving, ambitious, and making a real difference.

We are looking for an experienced Shift Operations Manager to lead the CCEP shift operation at 26 Berth, Tilbury. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will provide clear leadership, tactical direction and operational accountability across shifts, ensuring the operation is safe, efficient and consistently focused on customer service. You will set expectations for shift teams, support delivery of the asset strategy and drive continuous improvement across safety, service, cost, resource utilisation and operational standards.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of daily and weekly safety, service and operational performance targets, ensuring shift teams understand priorities and required standards.

• Plan labour, skills cover and plant availability so the operation is appropriately resourced to meet forecast demand and customer requirements.

• Manage variable labour costs through effective control of overtime, agency usage and short-term absence.

• Coach and develop Shift Supervisors, building consistent standards, communication and leadership practice across all shifts.

• Oversee terminal facilities, plant and operational equipment, reporting significant defects, repair costs and operational risks promptly.

• Maintain the shift training matrix, ensuring critical skills, compliance requirements and operational capability are identified and escalated.

• Act as the responsible site lead outside normal business hours, making timely decisions and escalating significant issues appropriately.

• Review and adapt the daily operational plan in response to live priorities, available resources, customer requirements and operational risk.

• Respond to customer queries professionally and resolve or escalate issues that may affect safety, service, cost or delivery.

• Drive continuous improvement and optimise the terminal storage strategy, automation, space, flow, productivity and service performance.

What we're looking for:

You will be a visible, confident and people-focused operational leader who can maintain high standards in a fast-paced shift environment. Comfortable making decisions under pressure, you will balance safety, customer service, cost and performance while building credible relationships with operational teams, support functions and customer representatives. As the responsible lead outside normal business hours, you must be able to work shifts and provide calm, decisive leadership when priorities change.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Previous people management experience within a fast-paced warehousing, logistics or terminal operation.

• Demonstrable experience of coaching and developing others, setting clear expectations and addressing performance concerns.

• Operational budgeting and cost-control experience, including labour and resource costs.

• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.

• A proven record of delivering continuous improvement and excellent customer service.

• Confidence using warehouse management systems, operational reporting tools and Microsoft Office applications to support planning and decision-making.

• Strong analytical, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.

• Previous experience with automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) would be advantageous.

• Full driving licence, valid in the UK.

• Full UK working rights.

What Forth Ports can offer you

At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy

• A competitive salary

• Discretionary bonus

• Generous annual leave entitlement

• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary

• In‑house Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365‑day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing

• Physiotherapy Support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury

• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat-free alternative for all employees

• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms

• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting

• On-site free parking available for all employees

• Attractive family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover

• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK-wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service.

We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses/partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter when submitting your application via the ‘Apply Now’ link.

What you will need