The Warehouse Manager is accountable for the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of the warehouse function, including ownership of the warehouse budget, cost control, and resource planning.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for managing a small team (4 full-time employees, plus a variable temporary workforce), overseeing daily workflows, and ensuring operational performance meets business and customer expectations.
The role has overall responsibility for Golden Bear’s warehouse operations, including stock control, despatch, goods-in, and the effective use of systems, processes, and people. The Warehouse Manager will lead by example on the shop floor while also taking ownership of planning, performance, and continuous improvement.
Operational duties that fall within this role include unloading containers, FLT loading/unloading of vehicles, picking and packing orders and ensuring all deadlines are met.
A key aspect of the role includes supporting our external storage facility. This involves staffing, maintaining accurate stock records, coordinating stock movements, and ensuring a high standard of service delivery.
A key requirement of this role is flexibility as there may be additional working hours during peak periods (particularly FYQ3) to meet increased operational demands. Depending on the needs of the business, there may also be some shift work needed (no nights).
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Manage, and develop the warehouse team, creating a positive, accountable, and high-performing 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 onboarding/ongoing development of the team.
- Plan and coordinate resource requirements, including temporary labour during peak periods.
- Drive continuous improvement across processes, safety, and ways of working.
Operational Management & Delivery
- 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.
- Oversee container unloading operations, ensuring safe practices and adherence to required timeframes.
- 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 and Sales Admin teams to align operational output with customer demand.
- Maintain flexibility in working hours to meet business needs, particularly during peak trading periods.
- Take responsibility for opening and closing the site, ensuring security and operational readiness.
- Shared responsibility for opening and securing the premises - ensure alarms, shutters, gates, and equipment are secure and shut down safely.
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
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a warehouse or logistics environment is essential, including 2+ years managing a team.
- IOSH qualified, with experience of health and safety management systems (ISO45001), including writing risk assessments and implementing control measures.
- Container handling experience in a 3PL or fast-paced logistics operation is essential.
- FLT license (reach, counterbalance, ride-on), and significant operating experience is essential.
- 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
Experience:
- management: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Forklift Licence (required)
- IOSH (required)
Work Location: In person
