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Warehouse & Production Manager
Position type: Full-Time, Salaried
Location: Manchester, UK
Company Description
Washington Mills is one of the largest producers of high-quality abrasive and fused mineral products in the world. It has facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe and serves a global customer base. Its principal business is the fusing of oxide and carbide minerals in electric arc and Acheson furnaces, as well as the grinding and classifying of the minerals into grains and powders. Established in 1868, Washington Mills continues a long history of excellence in supplying raw materials to the abrasive, refractory, ceramic, and industrial abrasive markets.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Warehouse & Production Manager to lead all warehouse, production, maintenance, inventory, and logistics operations in our UK site. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective flow of materials from goods receipt through to production, storage, and customer delivery.
The successful candidate will manage day-to-day operations, lead and develop warehouse and production teams, drive productivity and continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure customer orders are delivered on time and in full. The role is accountable for achieving operational targets across safety, quality, service, inventory accuracy, cost control, and overall business performance.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Warehouse & Production Manager will play a critical role in delivering operational excellence while supporting the company's growth objectives.
- Ensure all operations comply with Health & Safety, Environmental, Quality, and company management system requirements.
- Lead all warehouse, production, maintenance, inventory, and dispatch activities to ensure operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Manage the end-to-end movement of materials and products, from receipt of goods through production and final shipment to customers.
- Ensure customer delivery requirements are consistently met through effective planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Develop and lead high-performing warehouse and production teams, providing training, performance management, and succession planning.
- Plan and manage production schedules based on customer demand, forecasts, inventory levels, and operational capacity.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including Safety, Quality, Productivity, Inventory Accuracy, and On-Time in Full Delivery (OTD).
- Works closely with customer service, finance and quality personnel to identify issues and coordinate the implementation of solutions.
- Plans, recommends and executes capital improvement projects and operational initiatives to improve site performance and support future growth.
- Learns the science of abrasive materials and the mechanical alteration of their different properties
Essential Functions
- Maintain a safe working environment and ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations.
- Deliver efficient warehouse and production operations to meet customer, inventory, and quality requirements.
- Ensure all production equipment is in proper working order by maintaining a regular preventive maintenance program and scheduling repairs in a timely and efficient manner.
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational best practices.
- Manage staffing levels, shift planning, and resource utilisation to achieve business objectives.
- Monitor operational performance, identify improvement opportunities, and implement corrective actions where required.
- Control inventory levels, packaging requirements, and raw material availability.
- Support quality initiatives and drive corrective actions to resolve operational and product-related issues.
- Prepare and manage budgets, monitor costs, and explain performance variances.
- Produce weekly, monthly, and quarterly operational reports for senior management.
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Required Skills & Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a Warehouse Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager, or similar leadership role.
- Proven experience managing both warehouse and manufacturing/production operations.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and hold teams accountable for performance.
- Demonstrated experience improving productivity, efficiency, and customer service performance.
- Excellent planning, scheduling, and organisational skills.
- Strong understanding of inventory management, production planning, logistics, and warehouse systems.
- Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence initiatives.
- Sound financial and commercial awareness, including budget management and cost control.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Mechanical aptitude and experience working with production equipment and maintenance teams are highly desirable.
- Degree or relevant professional qualification preferred, but equivalent operational leadership experience will also be considered.
Compensation/Benefits
Washington Mills offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package including:
- Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
- Company paid life insurance
- On-site parking
- Immediate paid vacation and holidays
- Opportunities for career development
The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe principal functions of the job identified and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Washington Mills is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity.
Washington Mills is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.
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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BY SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THIS INFORMATION.
I certify that the information on this application and its supporting documents is accurate and complete. I understand and agree that failure to fully complete the form, or misrepresentation or omission of facts, represents grounds for elimination from consideration for employment, or termination after employment if discovered at a later date.
I authorize Washington Mills to investigate, without liability, all statements contained in this application and supporting materials.
I authorize references and former employers, without liability, to make full responses to any inquiries in connection with this application for employment.
If selected for a position, I agree to submit to a physical exam, background investigation, and/or screening for illegal substances upon conditional offer of employment, depending on the position requirements. Job-related concerns identified during any of the above screenings may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
I understand that this document is NOT an offer of employment, and that an offer of employment, if tendered, does NOT constitute a contract for continued guaranteed employment. I understand that employees of Washington Mills who work at union facilities and are obligated to join the union as a result of the position they are applying for, serve pursuant to the terms of the applicable contract and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by you, for any or no reason, and the Company may terminate you pursuant to the applicable contract but in no event for a reason prohibited by law.
If employed, I will be required to furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and any other information required to be provided to employer by law or for benefit eligibility, and to comply with Company and departmental policies, practices, rules, and regulations.
I understand that if employed on a temporary basis, I would be paid for hours worked only, and would be ineligible for benefits including paid time off. I understand that any benefits I receive outside any applicable contract may be subject to change or discontinuation at any time without prior notice.
I understand that if offered employment, I will be required to complete a Form I-9 and that the Company reserves the right to terminate my employment if said information is processed through E-Verify and I am unable to resolve any discrepancies in my information with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, or any other applicable government agency.
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