Hays
Distribution Manager

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Distribution Manager
Your new company
A leading distribution and fulfilment operation is investing heavily in its operational leadership structure and is seeking an experienced Distribution Manager to lead a large warehouse team through its next phase of growth and development. This is a business that recognises the importance of strong leadership and is looking for a manager who can drive performance through people, culture and operational excellence.
Your new role
You will lead a team within a modern distribution environment, ensuring operational performance across quality, turnaround times, and safety. This is a highly visible leadership position with responsibility for driving operational performance across a busy distribution function. Managing a team of supervisors and colleagues, you will be responsible for creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance whilst ensuring service, quality and safety standards are consistently achieved.
The successful candidate will be a genuine people leader who enjoys developing teams, improving performance and building capability within an operation. Whilst operational knowledge is important, the key focus of the role is the ability to lead, motivate and develop people.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, managing and developing frontline supervisors and operational teams.
- Driving a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement throughout the operation.
- Setting clear performance expectations and ensuring robust KPI management across all areas.
- Monitoring operational performance, productivity, quality and service levels, implementing corrective action where necessary.
- Coaching and mentoring managers, supervisors and team members to improve capability and performance.
- Identifying skills gaps and implementing effective training and development plans.
- Managing employee relations matters including attendance, absence management, performance management and disciplinary processes.
- Driving employee engagement and developing an environment where individuals are motivated to achieve their full potential.
- Leading continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency and quality standards.
- Ensuring compliance with all health & safety, operational and company policies.
- Taking a hands-on approach, maintaining visibility within the operation and leading by example
- Acting as the senior operational lead in the absence of the senior manager.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced operational leader with a proven track record of managing teams, developing people and improving performance within a warehouse, logistics, manufacturing or distribution environment. You will be able to demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and people management experience within a fast-paced operational environment.
- Proven success leading supervisors and larger teams through performance improvement initiatives.
- Experience creating high-performing, engaged and accountable teams.
- Strong knowledge of KPI management, productivity measurement and operational performance.
- A track record of coaching and developing managers, supervisors and frontline colleagues.
- Experience managing complex people matters including absence, conduct, capability and disciplinary issues.
- The ability to challenge underperformance whilst maintaining positive employee engagement.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- A hands-on and visible leadership style.
- A passion for developing people and creating a culture of continuous improvement (lean experience desirable)


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What you'll get in return
- Salary of £45,000 - £50,000
- Opportunity to join a business committed to strengthening its leadership capability and operational performance.
- A role with significant influence over team culture, engagement and performance.
- Genuine career development opportunities within a growing operation.
- The chance to make a lasting impact through leadership, coaching and team development
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays EA is a trading division of Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
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