Section Leader

Organisation: ESPO

Work Location: Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1ES

Salary: £28,605 - £31,029 per annum (pro‑rata for part‑time) (Plus 10% shift allowance)

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, alternative shifts 6‑2/2‑10

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 22nd March 2026

Interview Date(s): TBC

ESPO is responsible for the supply of goods and services to the Consortium Members of Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Leicester City, Lincolnshire, Peterborough City, Warwickshire, Norfolk and other public bodies within the area and nearby. As part of this service, ESPO maintains a 120,000sq ft warehouse at Grove Park for the storage and distribution of a wide range of educational stationery and cleaning materials and other goods to schools, offices, homes and other establishments and distributes goods to a planned schedule using a fleet of its own, contractor and courier vehicles.

To actively manage both core staff and additional seasonal staff on shift, sharing the management of staff across the warehouse in conjunction with the other Section Leaders (be they Goods In, Replenishment, Picking or Goods Out). This is in order to balance the staff across all sections to satisfy the overall requirements of the shift and ensure the efficient flow of product throughout the warehouse in accordance with the required objectives.

For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex‑offenders, please see our policy statement.

To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:

• NVQ 2 or equivalent – Able to achieve relevant accreditation for study in respect of first line supervisory skills (ILM level 3, or equivalent)
• Proven relevant practical experience in a large fast‑moving Distribution Warehouse (5,000 SKUs), working with planned vehicle loads and zone picking
• Good motivator of staff as first line manager, to achieve required output and KPI targets
• Good verbal communication (talking and listening) skills for liaising with colleague first line managers to achieve overall targets, as well as dealing with own and shared staff
• Numerate, for accurate use of numbers and ability to carry out basic maths (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication) correctly and Literate, to write and develop reports, procedures and working practice and competent keyboard skills for use of WMS computer system and use of (including creating and amending) Excel spreadsheets and general use of Microsoft Office
• Good time management to deal with short‑term peaks and troughs of workload within shifts
• Sound knowledge of large distribution warehouse systems and procedures, including related warehouse functions and Health and Safety requirements for a practical warehouse situation; this includes a good knowledge of HR supervisory practices.

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our customers. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.

• Flexible working opportunities and access to employee benefits portal with car lease scheme.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), and a scheme to buy additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution.
• Opportunities for learning and development.
• Great office location next to Fosse Park, with free on‑site parking and easy access to M1 and M69.

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term‑time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

Neil Tompkins – Operation…