Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Manager – Birmingham

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 + bonus + benefits

Location:

Birmingham - site-based
Type:
Full-time, permanent

The Opportunity
A lot of warehouse manager roles are really about keeping the lights on - running someone else's processes, with little say in how things could be done better. This one is different.

Our client, the UK arm of one of the world's largest ceramics manufacturers, is looking for an experienced, hands-on Warehouse Manager to take full ownership of its Birmingham warehouse. It's a key site in the UK distribution network, and the business is at an important stage in developing that operation.

They want someone who can lead from the front, build a strong and accountable team, and look at the existing operation with fresh eyes - spotting what could work better, then making it happen. If you enjoy being visible on the warehouse floor, know the detail of a busy distribution operation, and are just as comfortable with people, data and change, this is well worth a conversation.

About the Company
Our client is the UK business of a global ceramics and bathroom brand, founded in 1989 and now one of the largest ceramics manufacturers in the world. The group is publicly listed, turns over around US $1 billion a year, and employs roughly 12,000 people from more than 40 nationalities.

It runs 23 factories across the Middle East, India, Bangladesh and Europe, and sells into more than 150 countries. Each year it can produce 118 million square metres of tiles and 5.7 million pieces of sanitaryware, alongside brassware and tableware. Its products feature in iconic buildings and high-end residential developments around the world.

The brand is known for innovation - it has pioneered large-format slab tiles, digital printing and anti-bacterial glazing - and its UK flagship showroom is right here in Birmingham. In the UK, it supplies a dealer network, contractors and developers, some of whom have partnered with the business for many years.

The Birmingham warehouse works closely with Operations, Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service, Logistics and Finance. You'll be part of the wider management team, with real influence over how the UK distribution operation develops - backed by the stability of a large international group.

The Role
As Warehouse Manager, you'll have full ownership of the Birmingham warehouse - day-to-day operations, stock accuracy, team performance, processes, health & safety and continuous improvement. You'll be a visible, hands-on leader who supports the team on the floor when needed, while keeping clear accountability for results.

What you'll be doing:

* Running the day-to-day operation, planning workloads and making sure the right resources are in place

* Making sure customer orders are picked, checked, packed and dispatched accurately and on time

* Overseeing inbound deliveries and containers, stock movements and outbound distribution, working with Logistics on collections and carriers

* Owning stock accuracy - correct locations, accurate SAP records, regular cycle counts and audits, and tight control of adjustments

* Investigating discrepancies, damages and mis-picks, and working with Operations and Purchasing to fix recurring issues

* Leading, motivating and developing the warehouse team, with clear expectations, fair performance management and the right training and cover

* Setting and tracking warehouse KPIs, using the data to drive improvements in picking accuracy, stock accuracy, productivity, damages and dispatch

* Reviewing layout, capacity and workflow, and embedding better, more cost-effective ways of working

* Keeping the warehouse safe and compliant - trained staff, safe use of FLTs, racking and equipment, and high standards of housekeeping

* Acting as…