At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced cold storage operation.
- Company: Join Lineage, the global leader in temperature-controlled logistics.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, paid time off, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food supply chain while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational leadership within logistics or similar environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Lineage is the world’s largest provider of temperature-controlled logistics. With over 25,000 colleagues globally, we have significant capabilities across the UK with a network of cold stores and an integrated transport network. We are recruiting a General Manager to lead our Heywood facility; the largest and most operationally significant cold storage site in the UK with +75,000 pallet spaces across 7 buildings and circa 200 employees. Heywood is a high-volume and fast-paced operation combining large-scale cold storage, automation, warehousing, and distribution activity supporting some of the UK’s best-known food brands. The site plays a critical role within the wider Lineage network.
This is a senior operational leadership role for someone who enjoys being close to the operation, leading experienced teams, and building a strong, stable culture over the long term.
The Role
As General Manager, you will have full responsibility for site performance, operational standards, customer delivery, safety, engagement, and financial performance. You will lead through visibility, consistency, and operational credibility by creating an environment where teams feel supported, standards are clear, and people are accountable for delivering excellent service safely and efficiently. You’ll work closely with operational leaders and central functions to ensure the site continues to perform reliably in a demanding 24/7 environment, while helping simplify processes and strengthen ways of working across the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop operational leaders and site teams within a large multi-shift environment.
- Create a strong operational culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and consistency.
- Ensure reliable customer delivery across warehousing and logistics operations.
- Own site P&L performance, balancing operational excellence with commercial awareness.
- Drive performance through clear operational routines, KPIs, and continuous improvement.
- Build strong working relationships across operations, engineering, HR, transport, and central support functions.
- Maintain high standards across safety, compliance, quality, and colleague engagement.
- Support the long-term stability and development of one of the UK network’s key operational sites.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for an experienced operational leader who is at their best running complex, people-intensive operations. You are likely to have built your career leading large operational teams within logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environments. You understand how to balance pace with pragmatism, standards with relationships, and accountability with empathy.
We’d particularly like to hear from people who bring:
- Significant experience leading large 24/7 operational warehousing sites.
- Strong operational and people leadership capability.
- Experience managing comparable blue-collar workforces through layered leadership teams.
- Confidence operating within demanding customer-driven environments.
- A calm, credible, hands-on leadership style.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the business.
- Commercial awareness and experience owning operational budgets and KPIs.
- The resilience and judgement needed to lead a complex operational site over the long term.
Why Join Lineage?
This is an opportunity to lead one of the UK’s flagship cold chain operations within a global market leader. At Lineage, we believe great operations are built by great people. We are looking for leaders who create clarity, build trust, develop teams, and take pride in running safe, resilient operations that customers can depend on every day. Our values guide the way we work: Safe. Trust. Respect. Innovation. Bold. Servant Leadership. Apply now and lead one of the UK’s most important cold chain operations.
Lineage is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues.
Benefits
As a Lineage team member, we aim to provide everything you and your family need to thrive. That’s why we offer competitive rates of pay, paid time off, skills training, and development opportunities to grow a long and fulfilling career with us. This is enhanced by recognition schemes, plus the chance to make your salary go even further with our cycle-to-work scheme and preferential rates for loans and savings courtesy of a leading credit union. Your everyday wellbeing is also important to us, so we will provide you with all the protective equipment you need to be safe and comfortable at work, and you will have access to a free 24/7 employee assistance phone line, which offers confidential counselling and advice. With all of this offered against the backdrop of a fun and social environment in which you will be supported by a team who enjoy helping each other in achieving their goals, we are confident you will excel with us.
General Manager – Heywood employer: Lineage Logistics
Lineage is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Heywood facility, the largest cold storage site in the UK. With a strong focus on safety, teamwork, and employee development, we provide competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth within a supportive culture that values innovation and accountability. Join us to be part of a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, where your contributions directly impact the food supply chain and help feed the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager – Heywood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the logistics and supply chain industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Lineage and its operations. Understand their values and how they align with your leadership style. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their mission of transforming the food supply chain.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on leadership style during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've led teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to balance operational excellence with team engagement – that’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Lineage team. Let’s get you that General Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager – Heywood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership style. We want to see how you lead teams and create a strong operational culture. Use examples that showcase your ability to balance accountability with empathy.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the specifics of your experience managing large operational teams. We’re looking for details on how you’ve handled complex environments and driven performance through KPIs and continuous improvement.
Communicate Clearly:Strong communication is key in this role. Make sure your application reflects your ability to build relationships across all levels of the business. Use clear and concise language to convey your thoughts and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lineage Logistics
✨Know the Operation Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into understanding the cold storage and logistics operations at Lineage. Familiarise yourself with their processes, challenges, and successes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their operational needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a General Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led large teams in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to balance accountability with empathy, and how you've fostered a strong operational culture in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to manage crises or improve operational efficiency. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
✨Build Relationships with Key Stakeholders
Lineage values strong communication and relationship-building skills. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with various departments like HR, engineering, and transport in your previous roles. Emphasise your ability to create trust and clarity across teams to drive performance.
