General Manager in Wellingborough

This position is full time and based at our Wellingborough Distribution Centre. As a Distribution Centre General Manager, you will be responsible for the cost-effective management of all Warehousing and Distribution operations and associated activities. You will lead the improvement of customer service through operational efficiency and look at the reduction of costs whilst ensuring that the distribution centre operates efficiently, safely and legally. Strong people leadership skills are a must for this position.

This role requires someone capable of working under pressure, displaying a good analytical approach to work to deliver business results and to achieve performance and service levels, while being open to and actively championing initiatives that foster a diverse, inclusive and engaging culture across the distribution centre. This role will have over 450+ indirect reports and 5 direct reports including a Warehouse Operations Manager, Transport Manager, Stock Manager, H&S Manager & Maintenance Manager. As the DC is a 24/7 operation, there will be the need to be flexible for occasional weekend and night work. This role has a company car allowance.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Manager with a strong Warehouse and Transport background to oversee all operational activities for a fast-moving Distribution Centre. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional leadership capability and have extensive people management experience, with the ability to inspire, influence and develop a team of approximately 450 colleagues. Working collaboratively, the successful candidate will deliver operational KPIs to tight deadlines and drive improvements by engaging teams and embedding a positive, inclusive, and performance-led culture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Fostering an inclusive and engaging environment, where colleagues feel respected, valued and able to contribute their best regardless of their background.
• Promoting behaviours that build trust, psychological safety and a strong sense of belonging across all teams and shifts.
• Championing diversity values, ensuring decision-making, communication, and people processes reflect a commitment to fairness, equity, inclusion and respect.
• Ensuring a Safety first culture is live within the site with proactive controls to ensure the highest H&S practices are in effect.
• Supporting your direct and indirect reports with their functions; Transport, Warehouse, Health and Safety, Facilities and People Team.
• Ensuring the depot stockholding facilities are created to maximise depot distribution capacity.
• Championing the development of people to support a robust succession and talent plan within your site and the network.
• Improving productivity performance and identifying opportunities for the continued growth of the business.
• Accountability for ensuring any new initiatives are implemented and achieved in accordance with company guidelines.
• Preparing, managing and controlling DC capital and revenue budget.
• Ensuring that the most cost-effective methods of operations are used whilst achieving the level of service to stores as agreed with the client.
• Ensuring the RSC is adequately staffed to receive stock and manage the despatch to stores, meeting the high-quality standards demanded by the business.

You will need:

• Ability to manage stocktakes and audits within the agreed deadlines.
• Monitoring all onsite contracts to ensure they provide high quality service in a cost-effective manner and within budget.
• Monitoring a full site security operation to ensure adequate protection of property, equipment and stock.

Key Capabilities:

• Commitment and an ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent people management skills and the ability to develop self and others, including building inclusive, high performing teams that value diverse perspectives and foster a strong sense of belonging.
• Experience of applying a working knowledge of relevant legislation, e.g. Health & Safety, Employment Law, Discrimination etc.
• Ability to effectively plan labour and resource to deliver operational requirements to a timely manner whilst meeting agreed KPIs and Service Levels.
• Able to identify problems and provide effective business solutions, adopting creative thinking and encouraging input from diverse teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Effective team worker and confident and positive communicator, able to engage a wide range of colleagues, promote open dialogue, and support a collaborative workplace culture.
• Experience in negotiations within a unionised environment.

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrate high levels of initiative, focus, proactive approach, commitment and flexibility, including leading cultural initiatives and strengthening inclusivity and team engagement.
• Excellent understanding of multi-temperature warehouse / transport procedures and compliance.
• Experience of volume, cost planning and Senior Management experience in a FMCG environment of at least 3 years.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 office knowledge.

About us:

Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, eight distribution centres, five Best Food Logistics sites, as well as six support centre locations across the UK. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we're a place where Everyone's Welcome.

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That's why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you.

We're proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed employer and we're committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.