Job Title: Head of Warehouse
Reports to: Director of Finance & Operations
Location: Trowbridge site
Sector: Luxury Retail (Furniture & Homewares)
Company Background
Established in 1974, Graham & Green is a proudly independent, family-run homeware emporium. Our flagship store in Notting Hill was the first of its kind, brimming with exotic homewares scoured from far-flung corners of the world. You’ll find us in the very same spot today, alongside four additional stores across the UK. Our mission remains the same: to source the very best furniture, homeware and unique gifts that excite, inspire and bring joy.
We pride ourselves on having a colourful vibrant community where everyone feels part of the family. Whether that’s friends, family, colleagues, customers, makers or furry friends. We’re only as good as the team that forms us, which is why we’re always on the hunt for exceptional people to be a part of our special culture.
Job Purpose
As part of the senior management team, the Head of Warehouse will oversee all day-to-day aspects of managing our Trowbridge Warehouse site, which is pivotal to the company’s successful operations and onward distribution to customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Liaise with department heads to build cross-functional synergies, develop tailored logistics solutions for new and existing customers, driving profitability and asset utilisation at all times.
- Direct Goods In and Goods Out Managers on industry best practice.
- Lead, develop and support the Goods In and Goods Out Managers and a team of Supervisors and Warehouse Operatives, ensuring that all company standard operational procedures are followed and completed on a daily basis.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence by embedding a “right first time” ethos within the warehouse function.
- Develop and ensure the best coordination and communication between the Warehouse and other Departments to ensure the best service is given at all times.
- Ensure that current and future projects are identified, planned and implemented in line with budgetary constraints and delivery time scales.
- Work with the Merch, Retail and CS teams to continually improve processes, cost efficiencies and business performance.
- Liaise with the Director of Finance & Company Operations on new business suppliers, concepts and tenders to ensure profitability and accuracy of costing information.
- Define the Warehouse property requirements and work with the Directors to implement this strategy based on cashflow and future requirements.
- Ensure the smooth and efficient integration of any new WMS systems and processes.
- Manage the operating budget for headcount to meet customer / stakeholder needs.
- Responsible for maintaining company vehicles and management of drivers in line with Transport policies and ensuring retail deliveries are correct and arrive as scheduled.
- Investigate best courier and logistics partners and find solutions for our ever increasing and differing range of products.
- Ensure accurate reporting of Warehousing, Fulfilment & Logistics activities are carried out, so that profitability can be effectively measured by providing agreed accurate and effective KPI measurements to provide clear visibility of the performance.
- Oversee and ensure rolling stock takes are completed and reviewed periodically and issues are investigated and remedied in a timely manner.
- Ensure all QC procedures are followed and develop new processes where needed.
- Constantly review packaging requirements and cost while always keeping in mind its quality and green/recycling credentials.
- Manage Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reporting bi-annually, reporting exact weight, material type and recyclability of packaging we place on the market.
- Work with H&S Manager to maintain a high-level H+S culture on site at all times, taking necessary actions where needed, working in line with SSOW, risk assessments and ensuring all necessary PPE is available and worn at all times.
- Manage forklift operations safely and efficiently; organise staff training as necessary.
- Support and contact for Yearly Stock Audit.
- Support changes in the role necessary to take the department and business forward.
- Work to achieve personal objectives set at one to ones and/or those set monthly or quarterly.
- Ensure all HR team-related tasks are carried out on a daily basis, making sure your team are supported and building a culture of high support, high performance.
Other responsibilities:
- Make sure that all stock is booked in, QC’d and stored in the warehouse correctly using space efficiently and in a timely manner in line with company SOP’s and KPI’s.
- Liaise with the Merchandising team to make sure all deliveries are planned and we have the correct resources on site to process.
- Ensure the WH team respond in a timely manner to any queries from other depts.
- Make sure all containers are unloaded within the allotted time space ensuring no extra costs incurred.
- Oversee the H&S Manager completes the Daily H+S warehouse walk making sure we are safe and compliant for the day ahead, reporting any issues to the Director of Finance & Company Operations.
- Ensure all staff are trained to the highest standard and recommend where improvements can be made in SOP’s for the warehouse and where the warehouse overlaps with other G&G departments.
- Work with the Goods In and Goods Out Managers to make sure we have the optimal staffing numbers for year-round including peak trading times with efficient use of agency staff.
- Investigate with the H&S Manager all Health and Safety breaches or incidents making sure that the appropriate paperwork is completed and process followed.
- Ensure the H&S Manager keeps all staff Health and Safety training up to date.
- Work continually with all outgoing courier and delivery services, maintaining and building relationships focusing on ultimate customer service.
Skills/Knowledge/Experience
- 5+ years management experience within a warehouse or logistics environment (furniture experience preferable, but not essential).
- An experienced leader with a track record of delivery within the retail sector.
- A wide-ranging operational skill set across Warehousing, Fulfilment and Logistics, with demonstrable project management and implementation skills.
- Experience warehousing large / heavy / valuable / luxury goods.
- Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills.
- High levels of IT proficiency, an analytical mindset with excellent communication skills and a history of improvement of processes and systems in previous workplaces, coupled with strong commercial awareness all times.
- A good history of warehousing experience covering all aspects of the industry from Goods In and Stock Control through to Order processing and Dispatch.
- Knowledge of coaching, team and individual development and KPI management with evidence of previous improvements and success.
- HR experience desirable.
- Previous experience in dealing with H+S incidents and investigations is desirable.
- Ability to liaise with all departments in a friendly can-do attitude.
This is a summary of the role and the Head of Warehouse is expected to undertake additional ad-hoc duties as and when necessary to fulfil the needs of the business.
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
