Despatch Front Line Manager

Allied Bakeries; Stockport; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

33 Days Annual Leave

Employer Pension Contributions

Retail Discounts

EV & Cycle to Work Scheme

Flexible Working Options

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Referral Scheme

Loyal Service Awards

Health Care Cash Plan

Job summary

Allied Bakeries in Stockport is seeking a Warehouse Shift Manager to lead day-to-day despatch operations. You will drive safety, efficiency and accuracy across inbound, on-site production stocks, and outbound loading, while managing a 4 on 4 off pattern and 42-hour weeks.

You will build a high-performing team, implement continuous improvements, and partner with the Warehouse Manager to meet customer requirements and KPIs in a fast-paced FMCG environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a warehouse operation in an FMCG setting.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with ability to motivate teams.
• Organised and analytical, balances speed with accuracy; proficient in Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; lead team briefs.
• Safety-first mindset; IOSH qualification desirable; SAP/WMS knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team and set clear goals to achieve KPIs.
• Champion safety to the highest health, safety, environmental and legal standards.
• Optimise operations by utilising Warehouse Management Systems and flexible planning.
• Recruit, train and develop operatives and coordinators to drive performance.
• Drive continuous improvement and implement action plans to boost productivity.
• Resolve service issues quickly and provide reliable data for reviews.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless operations.
• Lead by example with open communication, decisiveness and customer focus.

Skills

Leadership & team motivation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

Safety mindset

Warehouse IT systems

Education

IOSH qualification desirable

Tools

SAP

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Job description

Overview of role

Location: Stockport, North West

Are you ready to lead from the front and make a real impact? We’re looking for a Warehouse Shift Manager to join our high-performing team in Stockport. This is a hands-on role where you’ll drive operational excellence, inspire your team, and ensure our customers receive the best possible service.

You’ll ensure your team deliver excellence at every stage. From accurately administering and reconciling stocks, both inbound and own manufactured on site, along with managing the allocation and picking to meet customer requirements, while overseeing the safe, efficient loading of outbound vehicles, maintaining strict cost control.

Shift Pattern: Embrace the flexibility of a 4 on 4 off shift pattern (days and nights)

Hours: Enjoy a balanced work-life with 12-hour shifts, totalling a 42-hour week.

Key Accountabilities

This isn’t just about managing people—it’s about making sure every part of the warehouse operation runs like clockwork. You’ll report directly to the Warehouse Manager and take ownership of day-to-day operations in Despatch, including:

• Leading a High-Performing Team: Set clear goals and expectations, driving your team to consistently achieve and exceed KPIs.
• Champion Safety in Everything: Ensure every shift operates to the highest health, safety, environmental, and legal standards—safety is non-negotiable.
• Optimise Operations: Maximise labour efficiency through smart use of Warehouse Management Systems and flexible workforce planning.
• Build Talent: Recruit, train, and develop Operatives and Coordinators who embody our values and deliver exceptional performance.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Implement action plans that boost productivity, enhance processes, and achieve CI targets.
• Resolve Issues Fast: Tackle service challenges promptly, elevate where needed, and provide accurate, reliable data for reviews and decision-making.
• Collaborate for Success: Build strong cross-functional relationships to ensure seamless operations and shared goals.
• Lead by Example: Communicate openly, act decisively, and inspire your team with passion, resilience, and a customer-first mindset.

The Right Person

• Proven experience of managing a warehouse operation in a comparable FMCG role
• Strong leadership and communication skills – able to motivate teams and manage performance
• Organised, highly analytical and able to balance speed with accuracy, with a good working knowledge of all MS Office Packages – specifically Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead team briefs
• Has a safety-first mindset and takes pride in doing things the right way. IOSH qualification desirable.
• Excellent IT knowledge and warehouse management systems knowledge, as this is a process driven environment (SAP experience highly desirable)
• Previous experience of dealing with employee relations including but not limited too, return to works, absence reviews, disciplinaries and grievances

What's in it for you?

We believe in rewarding our people, and that’s why we offer an outstanding package of benefits, including:

Competitive Salary: £50,859.84per year
33 Days (pro rata) Annual Leave – Enjoy your well-earned breaks!
Up to 10% Employer Pension Contributions (including Life Assurance)
‘Extra Slice’ Benefits Scheme – Discounts at over 500 retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S and more!
Elic Electric Vehicle & Cycle to Work Scheme – Enjoy great deals on EV cars or bikes to make your commute greener and more affordable
Family-Friendly & Flexible Working Options – Supporting your work-life balance
Employee Assistance Programme – Free & confidential support for financial, legal, and personal matters
Employee Referral Scheme - We have a great reputation and reward you if you refer someone that joins us
Loyal Service Awards - We value your hard work and long-term commitment to us
Health Care Cash Plan - A choice to cover for you and your family for those everyday check ups