Digital Distribution Cell Leader

Proactive Personnel Ltd; Telford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Proactive Personnel Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Digital Distribution Centre Cell Leader to oversee shift operations across goods-in, storage, picking and dispatch.

You will drive Lean/Kaizen improvements, ensure ISO/H&S compliance, manage a team of 30+ including agency staff, and partner with HR, Materials and Engineering to hit KPIs and service levels.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams in fast-paced warehouse settings.
• Strong planning, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with WMS/warehouse systems and KPI-driven operations.
• Excellent numeracy and literacy; proficient MS Office, especially Excel.
• Solid understanding of Health & Safety in warehouse contexts.
• Ability to motivate and develop teams to meet targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead 30+ associates across shifts to ensure safe, efficient operations.
• Promote a Quality First / Right First Time culture with stock integrity.
• Drive 5S, Lean and Kaizen to improve safety, quality and efficiency.
• Oversee goods-in, storage, picking and dispatch to meet customer needs.
• Monitor KPIs and service levels; ensure JIT delivery to production.
• Coordinate labour and agency staff to meet demand while controlling costs.
• Lead safety inspections, risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Collaborate with HR, Materials, Engineering to achieve objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

WMS Experience

Lean Kaizen

KPI Focus

Excel

Communication

Education

CMI or equivalent qualification

Tools

WMS Software

Excel

PowerPoint

Stock control systems

Job description

Digital Distribution Centre Cell Leader

Hours: Rotating Days – 07:00–15:00 / 15:00–23:00

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 30+ associates, including Team Leaders and agency/contract staff, ensuring safe, efficient and productive shift operations.
• Promote a Quality First / Right First Time (RFT) culture, ensuring accurate goods receipt, storage, picking and dispatch, with full stock integrity and traceability.
• Challenge non-conformance, implement corrective actions and ensure compliance with standardised work, DKM and audit requirements, supporting IATF/ISO audits.
• Lead a Safety-First culture, ensuring PPE, Health & Safety, environmental and DMUK procedures are followed, including ISO 14001/45001 requirements.
• Conduct H&S inspections, risk assessments and Safe Systems of Work, ensuring incidents are reported, investigated and appropriately actioned.
• Champion 5S, workplace organisation, cleanliness, Lean and Kaizen activity to improve safety, quality and efficiency.
• Manage daily Distribution Centre operations across goods-in, storage, picking and dispatch, ensuring customer and production requirements are achieved.
• Ensure Just-In-Time (JIT) parts delivery to production lines and monitor shift performance against KPIs, deadlines and service levels.
• Coordinate labour and resources to meet business demand, balancing operational requirements and cost, while managing agency/contract labour effectively.
• Ensure effective escalation of operational issues, shift handovers and communication, supporting NPI and operational changes.
• Support budget adherence, cost improvement and waste reduction initiatives while driving productivity and operational efficiency.
• Lead, coach and develop team members through engagement, performance management, appraisals, training needs analysis and development plans.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and retention, delivering effective shift briefings and developing a strong continuous improvement culture.
• Work closely with HR, Materials, Engineering and other cross-functional teams to achieve departmental and personal objectives.
• Take accountability for SQDC performance, including accuracy, productivity, service levels, incidents, errors, waste, engagement, development, audit and compliance standards.

Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience managing teams in a fast-paced operational/warehouse environment, with strong leadership and communication skills.
• Strong planning, analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-complexity environment.
• Experience with WMS/warehouse systems, stock control and KPI-driven operations.
• High level of numeracy and literacy, with good MS Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Understanding of Health & Safety requirements within a warehouse or Distribution Centre.
• Experience delivering KPI targets and continuous improvement through Lean/Kaizen.
• Ability to motivate, engage and develop teams to achieve operational objectives.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within an automated or semi-automated warehouse/Distribution Centre.
• Knowledge of robotics, AGVs or AMRs/autonomous systems.
• Formal management qualification such as CMI or equivalent.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
• FLT licences, including Counterbalance and/or Bendi.
• Experience within automotive manufacturing.