Warehouse Operations Manager

About the role

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. 

Main Responsibilities

• 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.

You will need

• 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.

What's in it for you

At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:

• A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
• After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
• 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.
• Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.
• Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
• 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
• Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates
• An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.
• After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.
• Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.
• Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay
• Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.
• A great holiday package