Warehouse Section Leader

At Gist, we're proud to be part of the M&S Group, the logistics engine behind M&S Food.

From our distribution centres to our transport operations and support functions, we connect people, technology and expertise to ensure the right products reach the right stores at the right time.

As we continue to invest in our people, technology and network, there's never been a more exciting time to join Gist and help shape the future of food logistics.

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Warehouse Section Leader to join our team in Hemel Hempstead (Foods). Working closely with the Warehouse Shift Manager, you'll play a key role in supporting the day to day running of the operation and helping drive operational success across the shift.

This is a hands-on operational role where you'll help coordinate warehouse activity, support resource planning, monitor performance, and ensure the team has the tools and support needed to deliver safely and efficiently throughout the day.

While this position does not have direct line management responsibility, you will be an important presence on shift, supporting colleagues, assisting with attendance and people-related processes, helping resolve operational challenges, and providing clear direction to ensure the smooth running of the operation.

What you'll be doing

Reporting into the Warehouse Shift Manager, you’ll support the smooth running of the warehouse operation across your shift. Within this role you will:

• Support daily resource planning to ensure the right people are in the right areas to meet operational demand
• Coordinate warehouse and outbound activity, helping ensure products move through the operation safely, accurately and on time
• Monitor operational and picking KPIs, highlighting issues and supporting actions to improve performance
• Produce and maintain operational reports using systems and Microsoft Office packages
• Support the management of sickness, holidays and colleague availability across the shift
• Assist the Warehouse Shift Manager with people-related activity, including return-to-work conversations and other employee relations processes where required
• Provide clear communication and direction to colleagues across the operation, helping teams understand priorities and expected standards
• Support the induction and development of new starters and help ensure operational training requirements are completed
• Identify operational issues or risks and work with the wider team to resolve them quickly and effectively
• Champion health and safety, ensuring colleagues are working in a safe and compliant environment
• Support wider warehouse activity and additional operational requirements as priorities change throughout the shift
• Work closely with other areas of the site to maintain strong communication and effective handovers

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being at the heart of an operation, understands how a warehouse works and wants to build their experience in operational leadership.

What we're looking for

We’re looking for someone with proven experience working within a warehouse, logistics or fast-paced operational environment who is confident coordinating activity and supporting others.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Previous warehouse, logistics or operational experience, ideally within FMCG or another high-volume environment
• A good understanding of warehouse operations and the ability to manage changing priorities
• Confidence using Microsoft Office packages, particularly when working with reports and operational information
• Experience using a Warehouse Management System, SAP or similar operational system
• An understanding of operational KPIs and performance measures, or a willingness and ability to learn
• Strong communication skills and the confidence…