At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a massive distribution centre, ensuring efficient delivery of products across Scotland.
- Company: Join a major UK grocer at the heart of the supply chain.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, generous holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in logistics while leading a large team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in large-scale logistics or supply chain environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 51000 £ per year.
Ready to lead one of the UK’s largest and most complex distribution centres? I’m partnering with a major UK grocer to appoint a General Manager – Distribution Centre to lead a 500,000 sq ft, 24/7 operation that serves around 800 stores across Scotland. As Scotland’s principal distribution hub, this site sits at the heart of the supply chain, managing significant volumes across multiple temperature regimes and complex logistics networks to ensure products reach stores safely, efficiently and on time.
With accountability for more than 500 colleagues, you will lead all aspects of site performance, including health & safety, operational excellence, customer service, cost control, compliance and people leadership. This is a rare opportunity to drive best-in-class supply chain performance, deliver exceptional service to stores and lead continuous improvement across warehouse, transport and support functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and deliver the site's operational strategy in line with wider UK Supply Chain and Retail objectives, driving business growth, operational excellence and a high-performance culture.
- Operational Performance: Oversee warehousing, transport, replenishment and inventory management to achieve service, productivity, cost and quality targets while ensuring resilience during peak trading periods.
- People Leadership: Lead and develop a workforce of 500+ colleagues through senior leadership teams, fostering an inclusive, engaged and safety-focused culture with strong succession planning and talent development.
- Health, Safety & Compliance: Maintain the highest standards of health and safety, food safety, regulatory compliance, risk management and business continuity.
- Financial Management: Manage a significant operational budget up to £30m, delivering cost efficiencies, productivity improvements and strong financial performance without compromising service standards.
- Stakeholder Management: Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, represent the site at senior leadership forums and act as a key contributor within the wider UK supply chain network.
Overall, the role requires a highly visible leader who can combine strategic thinking, operational excellence, people leadership and commercial acumen to deliver outstanding supply chain performance.
Essential Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience (General Manager, Site Director, Distribution Director or similar) within large-scale logistics, supply chain, retail distribution, FMCG or temperature-controlled environments.
- Demonstrated success leading large, multi-shift 24/7 operations (500+ employees), delivering operational excellence, cost efficiency, service improvement and strong employee engagement within complex stakeholder and unionised environments.
- Strong expertise across warehousing, transport, inventory management, supply chain operations, food safety, health & safety and continuous improvement methodologies.
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic and commercial mindset with a strong focus on operational excellence and customer outcomes.
- Inspirational leader with proven ability to influence stakeholders, drive change, develop talent and make effective decisions in high-pressure environments.
- Resilient, agile and results-oriented approach.
Reward & Benefits
- Salary of up to £75,000
- Annual bonus linked to both personal and business performance
- 28 days' holiday, rising to 32 days with service, plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution
- Private healthcare
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- A strong commitment to employee wellbeing and flexible, long-term career development opportunities
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Distribution Center Manager
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Lorien and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Lorien!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Lorien keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Distribution Center Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Lorien:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Lorien. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Lorien.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Lorien that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Lorien. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
