Job Role - Distribution Centre First Line Manager

Location - Burton on Trent

Working hours - 37.5 hours a week, 5 days over 7
6am to 2pm, 2pm – 10pm (flexibility is essential)

Salary - up to £31,930 per annum

Role

First Line Manager to support the operational team managers in the day-to-day running of the DC ensuring all colleagues are motivated, engaged and focussed upon customer service, KPIs, safety, operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

In this role you will be Reporting to the Operations Team Managers.

Function / Area - Ecommerce

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced and motivated First Line Manager to lead our fast-paced warehouse operation.

• You will take overall responsibility for Goods In, Goods Out, Put-away, Picking, Packing and Despatch activities, ensuring operational efficiency, service excellence and the achievement of key performance, budget and cost control targets.
• Leading a team of Team Managers and warehouse colleagues, you will drive a culture of continuous improvement, safety and high performance. You will be responsible for labour and demand planning, rota management, absence management and resource allocation to ensure the operation delivers against customer and business requirements.
• A key part of the role will involve managing the NAVISION Warehouse Management System (WMS), ensuring accurate inventory transactions, stock movements, goods receipts and despatch processes. You will maintain stock integrity through regular audits, resolve stock discrepancies and utilise operational reporting to drive performance improvements.
• You will monitor and manage team performance against agreed KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, service levels and operational effectiveness. As a key holder, you will also lead operational shifts when required, support site health and safety initiatives, undertake accident and incident investigations, and manage employee relations matters, including disciplinary investigations and hearings, in partnership with the People Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for a strong operational leader who thrives in a dynamic warehouse environment and is passionate about delivering results through people, process and continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3 years' experience managing teams of up to 80 warehouse colleagues within a distribution environment.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, stock flow, inventory movements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Proven ability to identify, investigate and resolve operational issues in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Experience using a Warehouse Management System (WMS), preferably Navision or a similar platform.
• Practical experience with handheld terminals, picking, put-away processes and stock counting activities.
• Strong people management skills, including:
  • Workforce planning
  • Rota management
  • Holiday scheduling
  • Attendance management
  • Performance and conduct management
• Demonstrable commitment to Health & Safety, promoting safe working practices and ensuring compliance across the operation.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, develop and engage teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Strong focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong organisational, planning and administrative skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Positive role model who promotes teamwork, accountability and colleague engagement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond to changing priorities, operational demands and shift patterns.
• IOSH qualification desirable; training will be provided for the right candidate.