Despatch Front Line Manager

Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc; Stockport; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

33 Days Annual Leave

Employer Pension Contributions

Extra Slice 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 a high-performing team in despatch operations. You will manage stocks on site, oversee loading of outbound vehicles, and drive cost control while ensuring top service for customers.

The role requires strong leadership, sharp analytical skills, and a focus on safety and process discipline within an FMCG environment. This position offers a 4 on 4 off pattern and 42-hour weeks.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of managing a warehouse operation in an FMCG context.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with ability to motivate teams and manage performance.
• Organised and analytical with proficiency in MS Excel and SAP.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office packages.
• IOSH qualification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team and set clear goals to drive KPI achievement.
• Champion safety to meet health, safety, environmental and legal standards.
• Maximise labour efficiency using Warehouse Management Systems and flexible staffing.
• Recruit, train, and develop Operatives and Coordinators.
• Drive continuous improvement with action plans to boost productivity and CI targets.
• Resolve service challenges quickly with accurate data for decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless operations.
• Lead by example with open communication and a customer-first mindset.

Skills

Leadership

Warehouse operations

Communication

Analytical

Safety compliance

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

MS Office

Job description

Allied Bakeries are owned by Associated British Foods. ABF is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £20.1bn and 138,000 employees in 56 countries. It has significant businesses in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Our sister companies in ABF UK Grocery produce products under many market‑leading household brands, including Jordans, Ryvita, Pataks, Blue Dragon & Silver Spoon.

We are proud of our brands: we make top 10 UK grocery brand Kingsmill as well as Allinson’s and Sunblest. You’ll know us best through our white, wholemeal and seeded market‑leading loaves, as well as Kingsmill 50/50, the nation’s favourite Healthier White, and our delicious pancakes, crumpets, hot cross buns and other bakery products.

The success of our business depends on us having the right people on the team. We are incredibly passionate about our business, but it isn’t for the faint‑hearted – it’s pacey and demanding so our people need to have a positive attitude and to want to work inclusively. We take massive pride in what we do, not least in how colleagues based in our bakeries and depots have one of the best safety performance records in the industry.

Our Grocery Service Centre, based near Liverpool, is a hub for transactional activity across multiple ABF companies within the ABF Grocery division. Supporting some of our well‑known brands such as Kingsmill, Pataks, Blue Dragon, Jordans, Ryvita and Silver Spoon, amongst others. We deliver Shared Service activities across a wide range of disciplines including Customer Services, Consumer Care, Finance, Payroll, HR and IS.

If you’re looking to join a business that is passionate, encourages you to be the best you can be, and values its people, we’d love to hear from you.

Overview Of Role

Location: Stockport, North West

Annual Salary: £50,859.84

Warehouse Shift Manager

Industry-Leading Benefits

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?

• Competitive Salary: £50,859.84 per 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!
• 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