Despatch and Intake Manager, Despatch and Intake Manager

Pilgrim's Europe; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an experienced Despatch and Intake Manager to lead the movement, storage, and distribution of materials at our Ballymena site. You will work with Production, Planning, Procurement, Technical, and Logistics teams to ensure safe, efficient operations aligned with customer requirements.

The role requires proven management experience in food manufacturing or FMCG warehousing, strong inventory control, and the ability to drive KPIs and continuous improvement in a

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing, FMCG, warehousing or supply chain environment.
• Proven ability to deliver operational KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong inventory management and stock control experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Despatch and Intake functions, ensuring the smooth flow of materials and finished goods across the site.
• Manage inventory, storage, stock rotation, and dispatch activities to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.
• Ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and delivered on time and in full.
• Oversee on-site and off-site storage operations, including deep-chill inventory management.
• Coordinate future capacity requirements to support business growth and operational demands.
• Ensure all warehouse, intake, and dispatch systems and processes are fully compliant and effectively managed.
• Deliver departmental KPIs across service, cost, labour utilisation, stock control, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise warehouse performance and reduce operating costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and support profit improvement plans.
• Monitor stock accuracy, inventory values, picking performance, delivery performance, and service levels.
• Work collaboratively with Planning and Production teams to minimise short-coded stock and inventory risks.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, creating a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning, training, and development across the department.
• Manage performance, attendance, and employee engagement activities.
• Foster strong communication and collaboration across site functions.
• Champion a positive Health & Safety culture and lead by example.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, Hygiene, and company standards.
• Maintain audit-ready operations and support internal and external audit requirements.
• Ensure appropriate controls, risk assessments, and safe systems of work are embedded across the department.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Inventory control

Process improvement

WMS systems

Education

Third-level qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Location: Ballymena

Department: Supply Chain

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Despatch and Intake Manager

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an experienced Despatch and Intake Manager to lead the efficient movement, storage, and distribution of raw materials and finished goods at our Ballymena site. This is a fantastic opportunity for a supply chain professional with food manufacturing experience to take ownership of the site's Despatch and Intake operation, ensuring the highest standards of customer service, stock control, operational efficiency, and team performance.

Reporting to the Supply Chain Operations Manager, you'll work closely with Production, Planning, Procurement, Technical, and Logistics teams to ensure products are received, stored, and dispatched safely, efficiently, and in line with customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Despatch and Intake functions, ensuring the smooth flow of materials and finished goods across the site.
• Manage inventory, storage, stock rotation, and dispatch activities to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.
• Ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and delivered on time and in full.
• Oversee on-site and off-site storage operations, including deep-chill inventory management.
• Coordinate future capacity requirements to support business growth and operational demands.
• Ensure all warehouse, intake, and dispatch systems and processes are fully compliant and effectively managed.
• Deliver departmental KPIs across service, cost, labour utilisation, stock control, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimise warehouse performance and reduce operating costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and support profit improvement plans.
• Monitor stock accuracy, inventory values, picking performance, delivery performance, and service levels.
• Work collaboratively with Planning and Production teams to minimise short-coded stock and inventory risks.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, creating a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning, training, and development across the department.
• Manage performance, attendance, and employee engagement activities.
• Foster strong communication and collaboration across site functions.
• Champion a positive Health & Safety culture and lead by example.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, Hygiene, and company standards.
• Maintain audit-ready operations and support internal and external audit requirements.
• Ensure appropriate controls, risk assessments, and safe systems of work are embedded across the department.

About You

• Proven management experience within a food manufacturing, FMCG, warehousing, logistics, or supply chain environment.
• Experience leading Despatch, Warehouse, Intake, Stores, or Logistics operations.
• Strong inventory management and stock control experience.
• Proven ability to deliver operational KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience working with warehouse management systems and operational reporting.

Desirable

• SAP experience.
• Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence experience.Experience delivering change initiatives and performance improvement projects.
• Third-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Monday to Friday working pattern.
• Opportunity to lead a key operational function within a large food manufacturing business.
• Ongoing development and career progression opportunities.
• Be part of a company that puts quality, people, and operational excellence at the heart of everything it does.