DC Operations Manager – Inventory and Inbound
Hours: Monday–Friday (09:00 – 17:00)
Location: Simplehuman UK Distribution Centre, Thrapston
Reports to: DC General Manager
Direct Reports: DC Specialists– Returns & QA/QC, Inventory, Replen & Inbound, DC Operatives
Role Purpose
The DC Operations Manager – Inbound, is accountable for the performance, flow, accuracy and safety of all inbound goods, inventory management and returns operations. The role ensures stock is received, checked, processed, routinely counted and made available efficiently, accurately and safely, protecting pick‑face availability and customer experience.
The Ops Manager acts as a leadership anchor within the DC, developing people, protecting standards, driving HYHU (Hold Your Hand Up) culture, and ensuring inbound and inventory activity supports wider business goals. The role maintains high operational discipline, resource planning, inventory integrity and continuous improvement across all inbound and inventory functions.
Key Responsibilities
Inbound Planning & Delivery Management
- Plan inbound deliveries based on SKU priority, capacity, labour and DC flow.
- Communicate clearly with HQ Supply Chain regarding PO status and constraints.
- Ensure unloading resources are available and planned.
- Manage inbound scheduling, vehicle arrival times and WMS logging.
- Ensure special instructions, Ti/Hi, and putaway rules are followed.
Inbound Workflow & Performance
- Own daily inbound workflow across all delivery types.
- Ensure deliveries are unloaded, checked, processed and put away efficiently.
- Manage inbound PO processing, documentation accuracy and supplier compliance.
- Highlight discrepancies, damage, shortages and false claims with clear evidence.
- Complete percentage checks on inbound inventory and elevate trends.
- Protect flow by ensuring inbound does not create bottlenecks or delays.
- Provide clear visibility of inbound risks, constraints and supplier issues.
- Resolve all issues to root cause and implement systems to prevent recurrence.
Inventory Integrity & Stock Accuracy
- Ensure inventory reconciliation between ERP and WMS.
- Maintain high stock accuracy through checks, audits and investigations.
- Manage ABC classification and efficient stock placement to improve productivity.
- Ensure inventory is available in pick locations to prevent availability issues.
- Support replenishment decisions with accurate data and location integrity.
- Lead root‑cause analysis for inventory defects, discrepancies and adjustments.
- Report inventory trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
Returns & QA/QC Management
- Ensure fast returns processing to support quick customer credit.
- Identify false claims, misuse, damage patterns and customer behaviour trends.
- Protect product integrity through consistent QA/QC standards.
- Ensure returns data is accurate, factual and escalated appropriately.
- Manage returns workflow to prevent backlog and protect DC flow.
- Ensure all reverse logistics comply with existing processes, and review with internal management if not.
Resource Planning
- Plan labour, skills and shift coverage to meet inbound and inventory demand.
- Ensure correct allocation of operatives, DCS support and MHE.
- Forecast workload and adjust plans proactively.
- Protect flow through effective daily and weekly planning.
Shipping Office Management
- Oversee the Shipping Office to ensure accurate inbound and outbound documentation.
- Ensure correct processing of delivery notes, PO paperwork and system updates.
- Maintain compliance with carrier, supplier and internal requirements.
- Ensure the Shipping Office supports flow, accuracy and communication.
Continuous Development of Team & Environment
- Develop DCS and Operatives through coaching, CPD and appraisals.
- Maintain a positive, safe, efficient working environment.
- Support training, onboarding and cross‑functional development.
- Build a culture of accountability, professionalism and HYHU.
KPI’s & Operational Results
- Own inbound KPIs including stock accuracy, inbound processing time, putaway speed, returns turnaround, and inventory defect rates.
- Analyse trends, identify risks and drive corrective actions.
- Provide clear, factual HYHU reporting.
- Ensure inbound performance supports customer experience and business goals.
Support GM and Other Ops Manager
- Collaborate with Outbound Ops Manager to protect flow and availability.
- Support GM with operational planning, reporting and improvement.
- Contribute to cross‑functional projects and DC initiatives.
- Provide reliable operational insight and recommendations.
Security & H&S
- Maintain high standards of security across inbound and inventory areas.
- Ensure safe systems of work, correct MHE use and hazard escalation.
- Support investigations with accurate operational data.
- Protect people, products and the environment.
Maintain a High DC Standard
- Ensure inbound, returns and inventory areas are clean, organised and audit‑ready.
- Protect product integrity, packaging quality and customer experience.
- Maintain consistent operational discipline and visual standards.
Managing Direct Reports
- Lead DCS roles and Operatives with clarity and consistency.
- Set expectations, provide feedback, manage performance.
- Conduct CPD’s, appraisals and development plans.
- Build a strong, reliable inbound and inventory team.
People & Communication
- Communicate clearly with HQ Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, and all DC Depts/Functions.
- Provide timely HYHU reporting.
- Share accurate information that supports operational decisions.
- Maintain professional, constructive communication at all times.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain safe working practices across all inbound, inventory and returns activities.
- Identify hazards and escalated promptly.
- Support H&S investigations with accurate data.
- Ensure compliance with supplier, carrier and DC standards.
- Protect the wellbeing of colleagues and the DC environment.
Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
- Use data and trends to identify defects, delays or risks.
- Escalate issues early and support corrective actions.
- Apply HYHU principles consistently and visibly.
- Support simple, efficient, cost‑effective ways of working.
- Drive improvements that enhance flow, accuracy and safety.
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