Operations Manager – Food Wholesale Distribution
Location: Croydon, South London
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
About the Role
We are a growing food wholesale distribution business supplying professional customers across London and the UK.
We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Operations Manager to take overall responsibility for our day-to-day warehouse, logistics and operational quality processes in Croydon.
This is a key management position overseeing the complete operational flow of the business, from imports and goods-in through stock management, quality control, order picking and final delivery to our customers.
You will lead and manage a logistics and warehouse team of approximately 12 people, ensuring the operation runs efficiently, safely and to a consistently high standard.
The successful candidate will also play an important role in maintaining and developing our food safety and quality management systems, including BRCGS standards and certification requirements.
Key Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the effective management of our warehouse and logistics operations, including:
- Managing the day-to-day running of the warehouse and logistics operation
- Leading, organising and developing a team of approximately 12 warehouse and logistics staff
- Coordinating inbound deliveries and imported goods
- Managing goods-in, checking and stock put-away
- Ensuring accurate stock control and inventory management
- Monitoring stock discrepancies, damages, wastage and expiry dates
- Organising and supervising customer order picking and preparation
- Ensuring orders are picked accurately and dispatched on time
- Planning and coordinating daily delivery routes
- Managing drivers and warehouse operatives
- Ensuring vehicles are loaded correctly and efficiently
- Monitoring delivery performance and resolving operational issues
- Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and traceability
- Ensuring appropriate temperature controls for chilled and frozen products
- Managing product traceability, recalls and incident procedures where required
- Managing warehouse cleanliness, organisation and health & safety
- Improving warehouse processes, productivity and efficiency
- Monitoring operational KPIs and identifying areas for improvement
- Working closely with Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service and Quality functions
- Helping investigate customer complaints, delivery issues, shortages and stock discrepancies
- Managing relationships with transport providers, freight forwarders and other operational partners
- Supporting the implementation and improvement of warehouse and ERP systems
- Controlling operational costs while maintaining a high level of customer service
Quality, Food Safety & BRCGS
The Operations Manager will play a key role in maintaining our quality and food safety standards.
Responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the implementation and ongoing maintenance of BRCGS requirements
- Ensuring warehouse operations comply with internal quality procedures and documented processes
- Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and product integrity
- Ensuring accurate traceability throughout goods-in, storage, picking and dispatch
- Supporting internal and external audits
- Preparing the warehouse and operational teams for BRCGS audits and certification
- Managing corrective and preventative actions following audits or non-conformances
- Ensuring operational records and documentation are accurately maintained
- Monitoring temperature control and cold-chain procedures
- Ensuring staff are trained in relevant food safety, hygiene and quality procedures
- Supporting HACCP procedures and risk assessments
- Investigating operational quality issues and implementing corrective actions
- Developing a strong food safety and quality culture across the warehouse operation
- Continuously reviewing processes to improve compliance, efficiency and operational standards
Team Management
A major part of the role will be leading a team of approximately 12 people across warehouse and logistics operations.
You will be expected to:
- Organise daily workloads, shifts and priorities
- Allocate resources according to operational requirements
- Manage warehouse staff and drivers
- Set clear standards of performance and accountability
- Train, coach and develop team members
- Conduct performance reviews and address performance issues where necessary
- Ensure staff follow documented operational, food safety and quality procedures
- Monitor attendance, productivity and operational performance
- Create a positive, organised and professional working environment
- Promote a strong culture of food safety, quality and continuous improvement
About You
We are looking for someone who is practical, organised and comfortable taking ownership.
Ideally, you will have:
- Previous experience in an Operations Manager, Warehouse Manager, Logistics Manager or similar role
- Proven experience managing an operational team, ideally of 10+ employees
- Experience within food wholesale, foodservice, FMCG or chilled/frozen distribution
- Strong understanding of warehouse and inventory management
- Experience managing warehouse teams and drivers
- Good knowledge of stock control and order fulfilment processes
- Experience working with ERP/WMS systems
- Good understanding of food safety, traceability and temperature-controlled distribution
- Knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP and food safety management systems
- Previous involvement in BRCGS audits, certification or site preparation would be a strong advantage
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work under pressure and manage changing priorities
- Strong communication, leadership and people-management skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Good Excel and general IT skills
Experience dealing with food imports, customs, freight forwarders, international suppliers and quality certification processes would be a strong advantage.
What We Are Looking For
This role would particularly suit someone who enjoys being hands-on and close to the operation rather than managing exclusively from an office.
You should be comfortable walking the warehouse floor, solving problems as they arise, managing a team and continuously looking for ways to make the operation safer, more compliant, more reliable and more efficient.
We are looking for someone who can bring structure, accountability, strong quality processes and continuous improvement to the operation while maintaining the high level of service expected by our customers.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Permanent, full-time position
- Key management role within a growing business
- Responsibility for a team of approximately 12 people
- Significant responsibility and autonomy
- Opportunity to lead operational and quality improvements
- Opportunity to contribute directly to BRCGS certification and continuous compliance
- Friendly and entrepreneurial working environment
- Staff benefits and discounts
Location: Croydon, South London
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Pay: From £45,000.00 per year
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Croydon CR0 4TQ (required)
Work Location: In person
