At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to ensure top-notch service and maintenance in a high-tech distribution centre.
- Company: Join Vanderlande, the global leader in automation solutions for airports and logistics.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, medical cover, career growth, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced retail environment with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in automated systems and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Reports to: Service Operations Director
Location: Sainsbury’s Distribution Centre - Daventry
Introduction to Role
Vanderlande is the global market leader in automation systems and solutions across Airports, Warehousing, and Parcel sectors. Within the Sainsbury’s contract, we support a highly automated distribution centre that operates 24/7. The site utilises advanced automated materials handling systems to ensure accurate, high-volume order fulfilment. The on-site Vanderlande team provides critical operational and maintenance support to ensure maximum system availability and consistent delivery of store orders to Sainsbury’s demanding service levels.
Role Responsibilities
The Operations and Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading the on-site service team and delivering the Sainsbury’s service contract to operational and commercial expectations. Acting as Vanderlande’s senior representative on site, you will be accountable for system performance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced retail environment. This role requires strong partnership with Sainsbury’s stakeholders, ensuring alignment to peak trading periods, seasonal demand, and evolving operational priorities.
Key Responsibilities and Activities
- Service Contract Delivery: Lead the execution of the Sainsbury’s O&M contract, ensuring high system availability and adherence to strict grocery distribution SLAs and KPIs.
- Customer Partnership: Act as the primary senior interface with Sainsbury’s operational and engineering teams, building a proactive and influential relationship with a highly performance-driven retail customer.
- Operational Leadership: Manage and develop a site-based engineering and support organisation, covering maintenance, control room, and operational support, ensuring 24/7 resilience.
- Performance & SLA Management: Own and report on key service metrics including throughput, availability, response times, and order fulfilment accuracy via structured dashboards (internal and external).
- Incident & Escalation Management: Lead the response to critical system incidents, ensuring rapid recovery, effective communication, and minimal disruption to store deliveries—especially during peak and seasonal trading.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive improvements in maintenance strategies (preventative, predictive), system reliability, and operational efficiency aligned to Sainsbury’s continuous improvement culture.
- Opportunity Development: Identify and support opportunities for contract growth, system enhancements, or lifecycle upgrades within the Sainsbury’s operation.
- People Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop the site team, including mentoring, developing competencies, and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Health & Safety: Ensure full compliance with UK HSE legislation and both Vanderlande and Sainsbury’s safety standards, promoting a zero-harm culture.
- Stakeholder Communication: Maintain regular communication with Vanderlande UK leadership, the Netherlands head office, and global O&M network, sharing best practices and insights.
- Strategic Contribution: Contribute to Vanderlande’s global service strategy while tailoring delivery to the specific demands of the Sainsbury’s supply chain.
Qualifications and Skills
- Proven experience in service and maintenance of highly automated distribution or logistics systems, ideally within grocery, FMCG, or retail supply chains.
- Strong leadership capability with experience managing large, multi-disciplinary teams in a 24/7 operational environment.
- Demonstrable success in managing high-profile customer relationships, particularly within retail or logistics sectors.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to lead complex system issue resolution under pressure.
- Sound understanding of Health & Safety legislation and best practice in operational environments.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Advanced MS Office skills, particularly Excel for reporting and performance analysis.
- Flexibility to support wider UK or European operations if required.
- A proactive, resilient, and customer-focused leadership style suited to a fast-paced retail environment.
What We Offer
- 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
- Aviva Medical Cover & Pension Scheme
- YuLife wellbeing membership (including GP access, mental health support and rewards)
- Achievers – Internal recognition scheme
- Career development opportunities within a global organisation
- Cycle to Work scheme
Diversity & Inclusion
Vanderlande is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. If you require any adjustments to support your application, we are happy to discuss these.
Maintenance Manager in England employer: Vanderlande Industries GmbH
Vanderlande is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Sainsbury’s Distribution Centre in Daventry, where innovation meets operational excellence. With a strong focus on employee development, comprehensive benefits including medical cover and a cycle to work scheme, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Vanderlande fosters a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork. Join us to lead a dedicated team in a fast-paced setting, ensuring high system availability while enjoying opportunities for career growth within a global leader in automation solutions.
Contact Details:
Vanderlande Industries GmbH Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Manager in England
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Vanderlande Industries GmbH and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Vanderlande Industries GmbH!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Vanderlande Industries GmbH keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Vanderlande Industries GmbH:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Vanderlande Industries GmbH. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanderlande Industries GmbH
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Vanderlande Industries GmbH.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Vanderlande Industries GmbH that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Vanderlande Industries GmbH. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
