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- Tasks: Support the roll-out of Operational Excellence across distribution centres and improve efficiency.
- Company: Join the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, retention bonus, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in logistics while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational excellence within warehousing or logistics is essential.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive team culture await you.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
6 month fixed term contract £60,000 per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, £5,000 retention bonus and benefits. Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,000 customers from 34 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we’re the unseen force that delivers.
About the role
We are recruiting for 2x OE Operations Implementation Practitioners, on a 6 month fixed term basis. One role will predominantly support our Final Mile operation (with some travel to sites at night/early morning including Nottingham as our OE model site as required) and the other position will predominantly support OE implementation in our Distribution Centres. This is a great opportunity to bring your OE expertise to support the roll-out, embedding and sustainability of Operational Excellence (OE), across our Smiths News business. You will work closely with the central OE team, and functional leadership teams and across multiple UK sites to support adoption of new OE skills, methods and approaches to drive consistency and sustainable operational improvement.
The roles will deploy the OE architecture (Think, Work Behave) and all associated methods and tools, as designed by the central OE team; leading, coordinating, driving and coaching as appropriate to drive value to our customers and the business measured through Safety, Quality, Cost and Service Performance indicators.
What we can offer you
- Free onsite parking
- 4x salary life assurance
- 5% match pension
- £5,688 per annum car allowance
- Retention bonus of £5,000 (subject to tax) after successfully completing the 6 month contract & meeting agreed objectives
- Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
- 25 days holiday per annum pro-rata
- 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
- Private medical insurance
- Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme
About you
- Experience of delivering OE in a warehousing / logistics environment
- Experience of delivering focused improvement events resulting in validated step change in efficiency, key performance indicators and enhancing colleague knowledge and capability
- Experience of material flow design and layout optimisation
- Skilled in influencing internal stakeholders and external clients and effectively engaging with all levels of business
- Excellent communication skills; verbal, written, presenting
- Experience of Coaching, Mentoring and Training in the delivery of OE
- Experience of leading, inspiring and developing teams
- Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel (ability to manipulate and interpret data) and PowerPoint
Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let’s see if we can rely on you, too. Apply now.
Distribution Operations Specialist (Hiring Immediately) employer: Smiths News
Contact Detail:
Smiths News Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Distribution Operations Specialist (Hiring Immediately)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your skills. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Distribution Operations Specialist (Hiring Immediately)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Distribution Operations Specialist. Highlight your OE experience in warehousing and logistics, and don’t forget to mention any specific achievements that showcase your skills in improving efficiency and performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Share your passion for operational excellence and how your background aligns with our mission at Smiths News.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well. This will demonstrate your ability to engage effectively with all levels of the business.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths News
✨Know Your OE Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Operational Excellence (OE) knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific methods and tools you've used in previous roles, especially in warehousing or logistics. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key for this role, prepare examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or engaged teams in the past. Think about times when your communication made a difference in achieving operational goals or improving team dynamics.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations related to material flow design or efficiency improvements. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills, as this will demonstrate your ability to think critically under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Coaching Experience
This role involves coaching and mentoring, so be ready to share your experiences in developing others. Discuss any training sessions you've led or how you've helped colleagues improve their skills, as this will show your leadership potential and commitment to team success.
