Operations Manager

Operations Manager - Warehouse & Transport Location: Thurrock, Essex About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded Operations Manager to lead our warehouse and transport operations within a busy timber and building materials distribution environment.

Reporting directly to the Site Director, you will oversee approximately 35 colleagues, a fleet of 13 HGVs and a 40,000 sq. ft. distribution facility.

This senior leadership role requires an individual who can effectively manage departmental managers, drive operational performance, develop teams and implement improvements that enhance productivity, customer service, safety and profitability.

The successful candidate will take ownership of day-to-day operations while contributing to the company's wider operational strategy and continued growth.

Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership

• Lead warehouse and transport operations, ensuring effective coordination and achievement of business objectives.
• Manage, coach and develop departmental managers and operational teams.
• Oversee daily performance, resource planning, capacity management and departmental coordination.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability and effective communication.
• Work closely with the Site Director to identify opportunities, manage risks and deliver operational improvements.

Warehouse Operations

• Oversee goods-in, storage, stock control, picking, loading, collections and dispatch.
• Ensure effective utilisation of labour, warehouse space and materials handling equipment, including multidirectional forklifts.
• Monitor productivity, accuracy and efficiency against established KPIs.
• Maintain high standards of stock integrity, housekeeping and safe working practices.
• Develop warehouse processes, systems and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure staffing, training and resources meet operational requirements.

Transport & Distribution

• Oversee a 13-vehicle HGV fleet and approximately 16 drivers, supported by an established Transport Manager.
• Ensure efficient, cost-effective distribution and consistently high delivery performance.
• Monitor vehicle utilisation, route efficiency, fuel consumption, maintenance and third-party haulage costs.
• Support compliance with operator licensing, drivers' hours, vehicle maintenance and relevant transport legislation.
• Identify opportunities to improve fleet efficiency and reduce expenditure.
• Ensure delivery issues, damages and customer concerns are investigated and resolved.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Take responsibility for warehouse and transport operating expenditure and budgetary control.
• Monitor costs, investigate variances and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Develop and report operational KPIs, providing analysis and recommendations to senior management.
• Improve labour productivity, asset utilisation and operational capacity.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, capital expenditure and investment decisions.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to balance customer requirements with operational capability and cost.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote a proactive safety culture throughout the operation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, company policies and safe systems of work.
• Maintain effective risk assessments, training records, incident investigations and corrective actions.
• Oversee safe operation and maintenance of materials handling equipment and operational assets.
• Support internal and external audits and continuous improvement of management systems.
• Ensure managers and employees understand their individual safety responsibilities.

People Management & Continuous Improvement

• Develop a capable, motivated and accountable management team.
• Support recruitment, training, succession planning and performance management.
• Foster a positive working environment built on teamwork, communication and continuous improvement.
• Analyse operational data to identify inefficiencies and implement measurable improvements.
• Champion improvements to warehouse systems, transport processes and operational reporting.
• Lead change initiatives and ensure improvements are sustainable.

About You

We are looking for an established operational leader who can effectively manage through others while maintaining a practical understanding of daily operational challenges.

You will be commercially aware, analytical and solutions-focused, with the confidence to challenge existing practices, make informed decisions and deliver measurable results.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven management experience within warehousing, distribution, logistics or a comparable environment.
• Strong understanding of warehouse and transport operations, particularly multi-drop distribution.
• Experience managing departmental managers, supervisors and operational teams.
• Demonstrable ability to manage budgets, control costs and improve operational performance.
• Experience developing, monitoring and presenting operational KPIs.
• Good understanding of UK health and safety legislation and transport compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Competence in Microsoft Excel and operational management systems.
• A hands-on, proactive approach with the ability to balance strategic objectives and daily priorities.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• Experience within timber, builders' merchants, construction materials or heavy goods distribution.
• Transport Manager CPC or strong knowledge of operator licensing and DVSA requirements.
• NEBOSH, IOSH or equivalent health and safety qualifications.
• Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement qualifications.
• Experience with WMS, ERP and transport management systems.
• Experience managing HGV fleets, specialist materials handling equipment or multi-shift operations.
• Proven success delivering operational change, productivity improvements or cost savings.

What Success Looks Like The successful candidate will:

• Maintain a safe, compliant and well-organised operation.
• Deliver consistently high standards of warehouse accuracy, delivery performance and customer satisfaction.
• Improve productivity and efficiency across warehouse and transport.
• Effectively manage operating costs and achieve agreed financial targets.
• Develop a strong, accountable and motivated management team.
• Identify and implement sustainable operational improvements.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to take ownership of an established warehousing and distribution operation.

Offering significant autonomy, senior leadership responsibility and the opportunity to influence business performance, this role will suit someone who leads by example, develops people and demonstrates a genuine commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement and commercial success.