Warehouse Operations Manager

We’re recruiting a Warehouse Operations Manager for a leading national food service wholesaler, taking responsibility for a busy, fast-paced, multi-temperature warehouse operation.

This is a key leadership position for someone who enjoys being close to the operation – leading from the front, developing people, improving performance and ensuring the warehouse consistently delivers against service, safety and productivity targets.

You’ll have significant autonomy and responsibility, leading teams across multiple shifts and working closely with other operational functions to ensure customers receive the right products, at the right time, every day.

The Role

As Warehouse Operations Manager, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day performance of the warehouse operation, with responsibility for people, service, productivity, safety and cost.

Key responsibilities will include:

* Leading, developing and motivating warehouse teams across a 24/7 operation

* Driving performance against key operational KPIs including productivity, service, accuracy and cost

* Creating a positive, accountable culture where colleagues understand what is expected and are supported to perform at their best

* Coaching and developing managers and team leaders, building capability across the operation

* Ensuring labour and resources are effectively planned in line with operational demand

* Maintaining high standards of health & safety, food safety, compliance and operational discipline

* Managing budgets and controlling costs while protecting service levels

* Working closely with stock control to minimise waste, improve availability and maintain inventory accuracy

* Identifying opportunities to improve processes, productivity and ways of working

* Leading operational change and ensuring improvements are successfully embedded

* Working collaboratively with transport, sales, customer service and other departments to deliver a joined-up service

* Using operational data to identify trends, address performance issues and drive continuous improvement

About You

We’re looking for an established warehouse or operations leader who understands what it takes to run a demanding, time-critical operation.

You’ll ideally bring:

* Proven experience leading sizeable teams within warehouse, distribution or manufacturing operations

* Experience with in food service wholesale, food distribution or food manufacturing

* Strong knowledge of multi-temperature operations, including ambient, chilled and frozen environments

* A visible and engaging leadership style with the ability to get the best from people

* Experience managing through other managers/team leaders rather than simply supervising an operation

* A strong understanding of operational KPIs, productivity, labour planning and cost control

* Good commercial awareness and experience working with operational budgets

* Strong health & safety and compliance knowledge

* The confidence to make decisions and maintain standards within a fast-moving environment

* Evidence of successfully improving processes, performance or ways of working

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who combines strong operational knowledge with genuine people leadership, someone who can challenge where necessary, remain calm under pressure and create an environment where teams perform consistently.

What's On Offer?

 * £49,000 basic salary

* A senior operational role with genuine ownership and responsibility

* The opportunity to lead a significant 24/7 food service operation

* A well-established national organisation with long-term career opportunities

* A role where you'll have the autonomy to influence how the operation performs and develops

If you’re an experienced Warehouse Operations Manager or senior warehouse leader from a food service, food distribution or food manufacturing background and you’re looking for your next challenge, we’d be keen to hear from you