Despatch Manager

Hunter Savage; Belfast; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Onsite parking

Matched employer pension contributions

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Company discount scheme

Job summary

Hunter Savage is seeking a Despatch Manager for a fast-paced bakery site in Belfast. This day shift role (Mon-Fri) leads a 24/7 despatch operation, ensuring accurate, timely delivery of freshly baked products to customers across the region.

The successful candidate will drive continuous improvements in productivity and service while upholding food safety and compliance standards, and will collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimise operations and performance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing despatch, warehouse, or logistics in FMCG.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent organisational and planning abilities.
• Experience using warehouse management systems.
• Analytical skills with ability to report to senior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a despatch team to achieve high performance.
• Oversee safe, accurate, and timely despatch of bakery products.
• Coordinate daily vehicle loading and delivery schedules.
• Drive productivity, quality, and customer service improvements.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and health & safety compliance.
• Monitor KPIs and implement improvement actions.
• Collaborate with Production, Planning, Engineering and Transport teams.
• Coach and develop team capability.

Skills

Despatch management

Team leadership

Logistics planning

WMS experience

KPI reporting

Tools

WMS

Job description

Job Title: Despatch Manager

Contact: Conor O'Hagan

Description:

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Despatch Manager to lead the despatch operations at a fast-paced bakery site. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced professional to take charge of a critical function, ensuring the accurate, timely, and safe delivery of freshly baked products to customers across the region. This is a day shift role, Monday to Friday, offering a dynamic and rewarding work environment.

Top 3 Things to Know About this Job:

1. Competitive Salary Package
2. Monday to Friday Day Shift Role
3. Opportunity to Lead a High-Performing Team in a Fast-Paced Environment

The Role:

As the Despatch Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Leading and motivating a 24/7 despatch team to achieve outstanding performance.
• Managing the safe, accurate, and timely despatch of fresh bakery products.
• Coordinating daily vehicle loading and delivery schedules.
• Driving continuous improvements in productivity, quality, and customer service.
• Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety compliance.
• Monitoring KPIs and implementing actions to improve operational performance.
• Collaborating with Production, Planning, Engineering, and Transport teams to ensure seamless operations.
• Developing team capability through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Managing operator efficiency rates through the Warehouse Management System to meet business standards.
• Controlling losses, damage, and pick accuracy to meet weekly/period targets.

The Person:

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Proven experience managing a despatch, warehouse, or logistics operation, preferably within an FMCG environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Excellent organisational and planning abilities.
• The ability to make logical decisions and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using warehouse management systems.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to prepare and present reports to senior management.

The Reward:

• Competitive Salary Package
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Onsite parking
• Matched employer pension contributions of up to 10% & Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free and confidential support services, including counselling, financial guidance, and legal advice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to a company discount scheme with savings at over 500 businesses/outlets, including Asda, Tesco, Currys, and Argos