Logistics Manager in London

Our client are a growing Mediterranean food importing and trading business supplying major UK retailers, wholesalers, Delis and restaurants. They are seeking a UK Logistics Manager / Supervisor to take full ownership of UK inbound logistics, storage operations, and stock visibility. The role is responsible for ensuring that goods entering the UK are efficiently received, stored, tracked, and made available for onward distribution, while controlling cost, managing third-party partners, and leading a small UK logistics team. This is a hands-on leadership role with day-to-day operational responsibility and clear accountability for service continuity, space availability, and logistics efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end inbound flow of goods from the moment they are entering the UK, by truck and/or container.
• Coordinate arrivals, unloading schedules, and allocation to storage facilities.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant intake of goods into the UK network.
• Storage & Stock Management
• Maintain full visibility of stock levels across multiple UK storage sites.
• Monitor capacity utilisation and proactively plan for space requirements.
• Increase storage capacity when required by securing additional facilities.
• Ensure accurate stock records, reconciliations, and reporting.
• EDI & Order Processing (Supermarkets & Large Key Accounts)
• Own the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) process for UK customers, specifically for the major supermarkets and large key accounts.
• Oversee accurate and timely order receipt, validation, and processing into internal systems.
• Ensure orders are checked against available stock, delivery windows, and agreed customer parameters.
• Manage exceptions, discrepancies, or failed transmissions in coordination with Commercial, Operations and IT.
• Act as the operational liaison between customer orders, stock availability, and physical logistics execution.
• Ensure high data accuracy, discipline, and service levels in order processing.
• Support continuous improvement of EDI workflows, controls, and reporting.
• Third-Party Warehouse Management
• Own day-to-day relationships with external storage and cold-store partners.
• Negotiate storage rates, service levels, and commercial terms.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new storage providers when needed.
• Continuously benchmark suppliers to improve cost, service, or flexibility.
• Line-manage a team of three UK logistics employees.
• Set priorities, allocate workloads, and ensure operational discipline.
• Coach, support, and performance-manage team members.
• Monitor logistics and storage costs against budget.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve space utilisation, and streamline processes.
• Support operational scalability as the business grows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Operations, Commercial, Sales and Finance teams.
• Provide accurate stock and availability data to support commercial decisions.
• Ensure logistics operations support retailer service levels and business objectives.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in UK logistics, warehousing, or supply chain operations.
• Strong understanding of inbound & outbound logistics, storage, and stock control.
• Experience managing third-party logistics or warehouse providers.
• People management or supervisory experience.
• Commercial awareness and negotiation capability.
• Experience in food and temperature-controlled environments.
• Exposure to fast-growing or operationally complex businesses.
• Experience with EDI systems and supermarket order processing.
• Understanding of retailer order flows and service-level expectations.

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on, pragmatic, and solutions-focused.
• Comfortable taking ownership and accountability.
• Strong communicator internally and externally.
• Detail-oriented with commercial judgement.

£50,000 to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.