Warehouse Operations Manager

Job Description

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Warehouse Operations Manager to join our Haydock team. This is a significant leadership role within one of Booker’s large-scale distribution operations and a real opportunity for someone to make their mark.

Our Haydock depot is a major 24-hour FMCG operation, serving customers at scale and playing a critical role in delivering service, availability and operational performance. The successful candidate will lead all warehouse operations across their area of responsibility, including site services and clerical teams, with accountability for around 500 colleagues through 5 direct reports.

Reporting to the Site General Manager, you will be empowered to lead your department, shape standards, develop capability and drive performance. In return, you will be supported, challenged and held accountable for delivering results across safety, service, people and cost.

Just as importantly, we are looking for a leader who role-models our Win Together Behaviours: someone who will Believe In Each Other by building trust and developing others, Be Brave by tackling challenges and leading change, Stay Curious by questioning, learning and seeking better ways to operate, and Live 20/80 by focusing energy on the things that will make the biggest difference for colleagues, customers and performance.

• Leading day-to-day warehouse operations across your area of responsibility, ensuring safe, efficient and cost-effective delivery of operational plans.
• Driving the safety agenda by reducing accidents and improving the quality of accident and incident investigation to identify true root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Stabilising and improving warehouse productivity through strong operational control, performance focus and effective leadership presence on the floor.
• Reducing stock loss through improved controls, accountability and disciplined operational standards.
• Improving warehouse standards compliance and ensuring high standards are consistently maintained across the operation.
• Leading colleague engagement activity, supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, and improving Every Voice Matters outcomes and great place to work scores.
• Building the capability of the warehouse leadership team, with particular focus on strengthening weekend leadership and operational resilience.
• Reviewing and improving performance frameworks, including input into the Incentive Scheme Policy and performance expectations.
• Managing labour, overtime, agency and equipment costs within budget while maintaining service and operational effectiveness.
• Ensuring the operation complies with all budgetary, service, security, stock integrity, health and safety, and legal requirements.
• Leading and developing a team of managers through coaching, challenge, support and clear accountability for results.
• Maintaining high standards of behaviour and performance through effective use of people policies, with support from senior managers and the People Team where appropriate.
• Communicating clearly and regularly with colleagues and managers, ensuring team briefings and operational messages are landed effectively.
• Maintaining positive and respectful industrial relations, working constructively within a unionised environment where strong relationships and change leadership are both important.
• Contributing to wider site and divisional initiatives as part of the site leadership team.

• Strong operational experience in a warehouse environment, ideally within FMCG distribution or another fast-paced logistics setting.
• Experience of leading operational teams through managers in a large-scale, 24-hour operation.

• The ability to provide visible leadership, remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions in a demanding environment.
• A data-informed approach, with the judgement to validate performance through on-the-floor observation and operational insight.
• Experience of developing leaders and improving team capability.
• Strong understanding of health and safety, operational compliance and performance management.
• The ability to work effectively in a unionised environment and build credible relationships while leading change.
• Good awareness of finance and budgetary controls.
• Working knowledge of employment legislation would be advantageous.
• Stock control experience would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of mechanical handling equipment would be advantageous.
• High competence with Microsoft 365, particularly Teams and Excel
• A full driving licence.
• We would welcome applications from experienced Warehouse Operations Managers, but we would also consider a strong Shift Manager ready for the next step, provided they have the right operational experience, leadership capability and appetite to lead at scale, and can demonstrate the Win Together Behaviours through the way they lead people, approach challenges and drive results.

Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, 8 distribution centres, 5 Best Food Logistics sites, as well as 6 support centre locations across the UK.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we’re a place where Everyone’s Welcome.

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That’s why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers; some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you.

We’re proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed Leader and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support you can expect, please contact recruitment@bookergroup.com

Please note

We can only accept candidates over the age of 18 if the role requires working before 6:15 am or after 9:45 pm or involves working in areas such as the warehouse, beers, wines & spirits, and driving roles.

On the occasions where we have high volumes of applicants, some roles may close earlier than the advertised end date in order for us to manage all of the applicants appropriately. We will only be able to offer individual feedback to those candidates who attend an interview.

*Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however, is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco*

For more information about us please visit www.bookergroupjobs.co.uk