The Warehouse Manager is accountable for the safe, efficient and high-quality operation of the warehouse, including budget and cost control, resource planning, stock control, goods-in, picking, packing and despatch.
A significant part of the role is the planning and management of container operations. The Warehouse Manager will ensure containers are scheduled and tipped efficiently and within required timeframes, with the right levels of labour, equipment and warehouse capacity in place. This requires strong forward planning and close coordination with the Supply Chain team to manage arrivals effectively and minimise disruption to customer service and wider warehouse operations.
This is a hands-on leadership role, managing a small team of 4 full-time employees plus a variable temporary workforce. The Warehouse Manager will lead by example on the shop floor and spend significant time carrying out practical warehouse duties, including operating FLTs.
The Warehouse Manager will take overall responsibility for planning, prioritising and delivering daily warehouse activities, ensuring operational performance, team resources, safety and stock accuracy are maintained and deadlines are consistently met. Duties include container unloading, FLT loading and unloading of vehicles, moving and storing stock, picking and packing orders, and supporting the review and development of SOPs and risk assessments.
The role also includes responsibility for supporting the external storage facility, including staffing, stock accuracy, coordinating stock movements and maintaining a high standard of service.
Flexibility is a requirement of the role as additional working hours may be required during peak periods to meet increased operational demands. Depending on business needs, some shift work may also be required, although no night shifts are expected.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Manage and develop the team, creating a positive, accountable, and productive culture.
- Take full responsibility for day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring work is planned, prioritised, and delivered effectively.
- Set clear expectations and monitor team performance, providing regular feedback, coaching, and support.
- Identify training needs and ensure effective, ongoing development of the team.
- Plan and coordinate resource requirements, including temporary labour during peak periods and periods of increased container activity.
- Drive continuous improvement across processes, safety, productivity and ways of working.
Container Planning & Operational Management
- Take overall responsibility for the planning and efficient management of container operations.
- Plan container tipping schedules in advance, ensuring sufficient labour, FLT availability, warehouse space and other resources are in place.
- Work closely with the Supply Chain Manager to understand expected container arrivals and ensure the warehouse is prepared to receive stock within required timeframes.
- Ensure containers are tipped safely, efficiently and within agreed timeframes, minimising delays, additional costs and disruption to other warehouse activities.
- Proactively identify potential capacity, labour or operational issues and take action to resolve them before they impact container movements or customer service.
- Manage the prioritisation of container tipping alongside customer orders, picking, despatch and other warehouse activities.
- Monitor container activity and identify opportunities to improve turnaround times, labour utilisation and operational efficiency.
- Take ownership of warehouse operations, ensuring all goods-in, storage, picking, packing and despatch activities run efficiently and accurately.
- Ensure all customer orders are fulfilled on time and in line with service level expectations.
- Maintain full accountability for stock accuracy, including regular stock checks and investigation of discrepancies.
- Ensure high standards of housekeeping, organisation and operational discipline across the warehouse.
- In collaboration with the Supply Chain Manager, manage the warehouse budget, cost control and resource planning.
- Work closely with Despatch & Sales Admin to align operational output with customer demand.
- Operate reach and counterbalance FLTs as required and support the team with practical warehouse activities.
- Maintain flexibility in working hours to meet business needs, particularly during peak periods.
- Shared responsibility for opening and securing the premises - ensuring security and operational readiness, including alarms, shutters, gates and equipment.
Outside Storage Facility Management
- Maintain customer stock spreadsheets and internal systems accurately.
- Create pick sheets and coordinate stock movements for storage customers.
- Conduct regular stock takes and ensure all data reconciles.
- Ensure the outside storage area is tidy, secure, and well-presented.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all tasks are carried out safely and according to relevant procedures.
- Conduct routine safety checks and report hazards immediately.
- Write and review SOPs within the Warehouse operation.
- Comply with all company SOPs, policies, and relevant regulatory standards.
- Encourage a strong safety culture within the team.
Systems, Reporting & Administration
- Develop strong working knowledge of our WMS and confidently use day-to-day.
- Maintain accurate records in warehouse systems and customer spreadsheets.
- Prepare operational reports, stock summaries, and activity logs.
- Produce returns reports including reasons, volumes, condition checks, and trend analysis.
- Support documentation for audits, month end, and compliance checks.
- Ensure all paperwork relating to container unloading, despatch, and stock movement is completed correctly.
Experience & Requirements
- Significant experience in a warehouse/logistics environment, including at least two years managing a team.
- Demonstrable experience of planning and managing container operations is essential, including labour, equipment and warehouse capacity planning.
- Current reach & counterbalance licences, with significant operating experience, are essential.
- IOSH qualified, with experience of health and safety management systems (ISO45001), including writing risk assessments and implementing control measures.
- Strong IT skills, including MS 365 (Excel) and warehouse systems (NetSuite or similar ERP).
- Comfortable making operational decisions and performing hands-on operational tasks.
- Effective communicator with the ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues and customers.
- Highly organised, reliable and able to prioritise under pressure, and take ownership of tasks.
- Proven leadership capability, with a proactive approach to motivating, supporting, and developing a small team.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
- High attention to detail, with a strong focus on safety, accuracy, and operational standards.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Do you have significant container planning/handling experience?
Experience:
- management: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Forklift Licence (required)
- IOSH (required)
Work Location: In person
