Senior WMS Developer (Blue Yonder) in Colchester

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

We are looking for an experienced Senior WMS Developer to join our Warehouse & Distribution (W&D) Technology team on a permanent basis in Colchester, Essex. This is a senior, technical role focused on the development and delivery of Blue Yonder customisations and integrations in line with business requirements and best practices. Reporting to the Senior Delivery Manager and working closely with the W&D Development Manager, you’ll ensure solutions are robust, well designed and aligned to the evolving needs of the business. Alongside your technical contribution, you will play an important role in mentoring others and providing guidance in the pursuit of code-quality and best practice.

This role is offered on a hybrid working basis from our warehouse site in Frating. Occasional out of hours work may be required to support releases, upgrades or critical incidents.

About the team: The Technology team provides expertise and effective solutions to Penguin Random House. We integrate flexibility and agility which supports our consistent way of working. We set ourselves up for success by holding ourselves accountable and welcoming change. Each member of the Technology team brings skill and initiative to their role; we take personal ownership within a one team culture, working collaboratively to meet expectations from our stakeholders who trust us to deliver.

You will join a collaborative, experienced team responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of the Warehouse Management System (WMS) solution that keeps our distribution network running smoothly.

• Develop, configure, and deploy Blue Yonder WMS customisations and integrations in line with business requirements and best practices.
• Lead by example in code quality, documentation, and solution design, supporting developers through mentoring and hands-on guidance.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer on Blue Yonder tools, frameworks, and best practices within the team.
• Perform enhancements, upgrades, and system configuration within the Blue Yonder MOCA architecture.
• Design and implement WMS reports, interfaces, and data extracts using SQL and related tools.
• Conduct thorough unit testing to ensure solution quality and performance.
• Participate in system upgrades, patches, and version migrations, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
• Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including functional specifications, configuration records, and operational procedures.
• Provide second and third-line support for Blue Yonder WMS incidents and change requests.
• Liaise with internal infrastructure, DevOps, and operations teams to ensure system reliability, scalability, and performance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, helping to optimize warehouse automation and logistics processes through system enhancements.
• Use Git for version control, code management, and collaboration across multiple developers and environments.

What you’ll need:

• Proven experience of developing and supporting Blue Yonder (JDA) WMS, ideally within a large-scale distribution environment.
• Strong proficiency in MOCA and SQL development within the Blue Yonder ecosystem.
• Hands-on experience with Blue Yonder Integrator, including design, configuration, and management of integrations.
• Strong working knowledge of Blue Yonder Page Builder, including the creation and maintenance of actions, lists, and batch processing.
• Solid understanding of database architecture and design, including experience with Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server.
• Good working knowledge of Linux operating systems, including navigation, file management, and basic scripting.
• Experience with integration and communication methods, such as SFTP, APIs, web services, and message-based interfaces.
• Strong understanding of system design and data integration principles, including performance, scalability, and data integrity considerations.
• Experience working in a structured software development team environment.
• Proficiency with Git for source control and collaborative development.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft .NET and C#.
• Experience of integrating or working with Centiro or other Carrier Management Systems (CMS).
• Working knowledge and capability with Java, and the BY WMS MTF framework, specifically building custom RF forms.
• Experience with ServiceNow or similar IT service management tools.
• Understanding of the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), including Agile and DevOps methodologies.
• Experience with planning, estimation, and dependency management.
• Awareness of ITIL processes and change management practices.

Application instructions: Please apply with your CV by 23:59 on Sunday 8th February 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advert may close at any time. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

AI: Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

The salary band for this position is £60,000-£70,000, depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus a generous bonus scheme and benefits. While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will work from our Colchester (Frating) office on a hybrid basis (working arrangements will be discussed further at interview).