Operations Manager

The Operations Manager will ensure through the excellent quality leadership of your teams, your depots enhance the reputation of the Leader brand, offering accurate, professional, quality and right first-time order fulfilment. Your passion to succeed and ensure every order is perfect, is what sets you apart as the combined sites leader.

Requirements

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

This role will include taking accountability for:

• Overseeing all aspects of warehouse operations, including goods receipt, putaway, storage, picking, load assembly and dispatch
• Developing and implementing operations policies and procedures
• Ensuring operational targets are met or exceeded, particularly in order fulfilment accuracy (target: ≥98%) and on-time dispatch (target: ≥98%).
• Monitoring and analysing operations metrics to identify areas for improvement
• Supporting the managers to deploy all staff to ensure, accuracy, efficiency, and productivity in all warehouse activities
• Ensuring managers order all site materials, consumables and provisions
• Ensuring that the warehouse operates at peak efficiency, with excellent customer satisfaction, safety and quality as the top priorities
• Ensuring site is opened and closed at agreed times and is secure
• Being a key holder and second point of escalation for alarms for both in and out of hour issues
• Coordinating with the Head of Supply Chain Operations to ensure alignment with overall supply chain objectives.

• Maintaining inventory accuracy above 99% through regular stock counts, cycle counting, and discrepancy investigations.
• Ensuring that the inventory is stored in an organised and efficient manner, optimising space usage and accessibility.
• Working with the Inventory Control team to ensure that inventory levels are maintained accurately and efficiently.

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of Team Leaders and warehouse staff, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Setting clear performance expectations and conducting regular performance reviews with direct reports.
• Addressing underperformance immediately through performance improvement plans (PIPs) where necessary.
• Ensuring effective communication and collaboration across all levels of the warehouse team.
• Achieving KPIs such as staff turnover should not exceed 10% annually, and absence rates should remain below 3%.

• Ensuring that all warehouse activities comply with health and safety regulations, creating a safe working environment for all employees.
• Implementing and enforcing safety protocols, conducting regular safety audits, and ensuring all staff are trained in safe working practices.
• Having a zero tolerance for health and safety incidents related to non-compliance.
• Addressing any health and safety issues promptly and effectively, ensuring that the warehouse remains compliant with local and national regulations.
• Ensuring all subcontractors on site provide are approved supplier and have Risk Assessments and Method Statements and are inducted on arrival
• Enforcing strict adherence to health and safety protocols in the warehouse.
• Conducting regular risk assessments and ensure the warehouse is safe and well-maintained.
• Providing ongoing safety training to all employees and address safety concerns promptly

• Continuously evaluate and improve warehouse processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service levels
• Implementing best practices in warehouse management, including lean methodologies and technology solutions
• Utilising warehouse management software and other technology to improve productivity
• Monitoring key operational metrics and use data to drive improvements in warehouse performance. Real-time adjustments are expected when targets are missed.
• Being a champion of the perfect customer order experience for all products supplied out of the warehouses.

• Working closely with the Transport Manager to ensure smooth coordination between warehouse operations and outbound logistics.
• Ensuring that goods are loaded accurately and efficiently, ready for on-time delivery to local depots and final mile delivery to customers.
• In the absence of the Transport Manager, take full responsibility for overseeing transport operations, ensuring seamless continuity. Cross-training in transport operations is critical to ensure full operational coverage.

• Developing, implementing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) for warehouse operations, including order processing times (target: 24 hours from order receipt to dispatch), picking accuracy (target: ≥99%), and inventory accuracy.
• Regularly review and report on performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Proactive leadership and initiative: Ability to motivate and lead a team, ensuring high performance and morale. Taking ownership of all operational responsibilities without needing constant supervision or direction.
• Cross training and role flexibility: The Operations Manager is expected to be cross-trained in critical aspects of the Transport Manager’s responsibilities and will be required to cover for the Transport Manager during absences. This will ensure seamless continuity of transport operations and will require a strong understanding of outbound logistics, route planning, and transport coordination. Familiarity with the transport department’s KPIs and daily processes is essential to stepping into this role without disruption. Cross-training and versatility across departments will be an integral part of the Operations Manager’s role, ensuring comprehensive operational coverage at all times.
• Problem Solving: Proactive in identifying and addressing operational challenges, ensuring continuity and efficiency in daily warehouse activities. Ability to develop contingency plans and swiftly resolve unexpected issues to minimise disruptions to warehouse operations and meet customer demands.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience in warehouse or operations management, preferably within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and inventory control practices.
• Experience in leading and developing teams, with a focus on driving performance and fostering a positive work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and lead with initiative, taking full accountability for achieving operational outcomes.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations within a warehouse environment.
• Experience in cross-training or managing multiple operational functions, with the ability to step into a transport management role when required.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively liaise with cross-functional teams and senior management.

• 22 days holiday per year, together with bank holidays, and a scheme to enable employees to purchase an additional 3 days holiday from the Company, or sell back 2 days of holiday to the Company;
• Length of Service holiday awards: 1 extra day for every 3 years service;
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme with employer contributions of 3% in line with current statutory requirements;
• Salary sacrifice Cycle-to-work scheme;
• Staff discounts on the Leader product range;
• Subsidised gym membership;
• Employee Assistance Programme, Access to Wellbeing Advice & Counselling
• Employee Referral Bonus
• £45-50k dependent upon experience