Despatch Manager

Polypipe Building Products is focused on delivering solutions to the residential sector. The company works with national and local developers, plumbing and heating engineers, general builders and groundworkers to deliver above and below ground drainage systems, rainwater solutions, and hot and cold plastic plumbing products.

Role Overview

The Despatch Manager is responsible for leading all warehouse and outbound logistics operations to ensure safe, efficient and cost‑effective movement, storage, and dispatch of goods. The role ensures service excellence, inventory accuracy, legal compliance, and continuous improvement across warehouse and logistics activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Warehouse Operations Management
  • Oversee all inbound, storage, replenishment, picking, packing, and dispatch activities.
  • Deliver daily operational plans safely and efficiently, aligned with agreed service levels.
  • Maintain high standards of housekeeping and visual management.
  • Drive productivity, optimise site flow, and maximise utilisation of machinery handling equipment (MHE).
• Logistics & Distribution
  • Manage outbound logistics, including loading, vehicle turnaround, and dispatch operations.
  • Coordinate with internal transport teams and third‑party carriers to achieve OTIF delivery performance.
  • Resolve delivery issues, escalations, and customer service concerns in a timely manner.
• People Leadership & Development
  • Lead, coach and develop the leadership team to build capability and confidence in managing people.
  • Support managers with performance management, conduct, wellbeing conversations and engagement.
  • Oversee labour planning, skills matrices and effective resource deployment.
  • Conduct performance reviews, manage absence and drive colleague engagement initiatives.
  • Foster a culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure accurate maintenance of colleague data and timely updates to HR.
  • Support payroll processes by ensuring accurate and timely data submission.
• Absence & Attendance Management
  • Advise leaders on short‑ and long‑term absence processes.
  • Support return‑to‑work plans, Occupational Health referrals and welfare meetings.
  • Monitor absence trends and raise concerns to the HR Business Partner where appropriate.
• Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing
  • Promote an inclusive, positive workplace culture aligned with organisational values.
  • Support engagement initiatives and internal communications.
• Inventory & Stock Control
  • Maintain accountability for inventory accuracy and stock investigations.
  • Ensure timely and accurate system transactions within ERP/WMS systems.
  • Reduce stock variances, out‑of‑stocks, and replenishment delays.
  • Oversee controlled storage, pallet integrity and product traceability.
• Performance Management & KPIs
  • Monitor and drive performance against key metrics including productivity, OTIF, stock accuracy, damage and incident rates, cost per delivery, cost per pick, and third‑party spend.
• Continuous Improvement (CIP) deliverables
  • Lead or support CI initiatives such as Kaizen, 5S, standard work, process mapping.
  • Identify operational bottlenecks and implement improvements across safety, quality, service and cost.
  • Champion digitalisation initiatives such as scanning, tablets and real‑time dashboards.
  • Embed standard operating procedures, visual management and daily Gemba routines.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Collaborate closely with Transport, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customer Service and Planning teams.
  • Support commercial teams with service insights and customer complaint investigations.
  • Manage relationships with carriers, agencies and equipment suppliers.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience managing warehouse or logistics operations in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Good understanding of warehouse legislation, manual handling and MHE safety.
• Experience using ERP/WMS systems.
• Strong problem‑solving, decision‑making and analytical skills.
• IOSH or NEBOSH certification (desirable).
• Experience with Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies such as Kaizen, 5S.
• Experience in multi‑site logistics or manufacturing environments.

Work Hours & Benefits

• Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 17:00pm.
• Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 8%.
• Life assurance.
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay.
• Sharesave Scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health & wellbeing initiatives including complimentary occupational health on‑site physiotherapy and counselling services.
• Staff discount on all Genuit Group products.
• Free on‑site parking.