Logistics & Distribution Manager in Reading

An established and growing equipment rental business is seeking an experienced Logistics & Distribution Manager to lead its equipment control, dispatch, and returns operations. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day management of equipment fulfilment, inventory movements, quality control, and distribution activities. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, develop robust processes, and lead teams to deliver outstanding service levels in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage teams responsible for equipment dispatch, inventory control, and returns processing.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve operational processes to ensure accurate tracking and movement of rental assets and consumable products.
• Allocate workloads and resources effectively to meet customer delivery requirements and operational deadlines.
• Ensure all equipment is accurately checked, tested, documented, and prepared prior to dispatch.
• Oversee stock returns, ensuring equipment is correctly recorded, inspected, and returned to inventory.
• Maintain high standards of quality control, packaging, load security, and transport compliance.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and investigate discrepancies, shortages, damages, and service delivery issues.
• Work closely with sales, account management, and transport teams to coordinate order fulfilment and delivery schedules.
• Ensure all operational documentation and proof-of-delivery records are maintained and easily retrievable.
• Lead training, development, and upskilling initiatives across the operational teams.
• Support the creation and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support business growth and consistency.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing operational enhancements.

People Management Responsibilities

• Manage, motivate, and develop operational team members and supervisors.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, workplace check-ins, return-to-work interviews, and other employee relations activities.
• Handle performance management and disciplinary processes where required.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and operational coverage across all shifts, including overtime management when necessary.

Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Proven experience in logistics, distribution, warehouse, or equipment management operations.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
• Experience managing operational workflows and inventory control processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive and continuous improvement mindset.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and inventory management systems.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Experience delivering training, coaching, and team development initiatives.
• Flexibility to work additional hours or occasional weekends when required by business needs.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a highly organised operational leader who can balance strategic process improvement with hands-on management. You will be passionate about delivering service excellence, developing people, and creating efficient, scalable operational processes that support a growing business.

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Benefits: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, private healthcare, pension scheme, life assurance, annual discretionary bonus

If you have a track record of leading logistics and distribution teams while driving operational performance and continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.