Distribution Centre Operations Manager

Working Solutions Recruitment; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Working Solutions Recruitment is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead UK and European distribution centre activities, focusing on setup, launch and stabilisation of two new facilities. You will report to the Group Operations Director and drive performance, inventory accuracy and cost efficiency.

You will oversee 3PL partners, manage capacity planning, and develop operational dashboards to monitor safety, service and productivity.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in warehouse, distribution, logistics or operations management.
• Experience overseeing warehouse performance, inventory accuracy and customer fulfilment.
• Experience managing 3PL partners, transport providers and service-level reviews.
• Experience launching or relocating a warehouse or major operational change.
• Strong analytical skills: KPI reporting, cost analysis, root-cause investigation.
• Fluent German and English; ability to travel across UK and Europe.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations across UK and European distribution centres including goods receipt, storage, picking, packing, dispatch and returns.
• Manage setup and launch of new facilities and ensure smooth transition to day-to-day operations.
• Plan capacity, staffing and resources to meet forecasts and growth.
• Oversee 3PL and transport partners with KPI reviews and improvement plans.
• Maintain inventory accuracy via cycle counts and stock reconciliation.
• Investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate stock transfers and manage slow-moving/obsolete stock.
• Monitor delivery performance, lead times and freight costs with Sales/Customer Service.
• Develop dashboards covering safety, service, quality, inventory, productivity, cost and capacity.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and potential automation.
• Maintain SOPs and ensure health, safety and quality compliance.
• Lead, coach and develop operational teams and foster cross-functional relationships.

Skills

Warehouse operations management

3PL management

Leadership

KPI reporting

ERP/WMS knowledge

German language

English language

Travel flexibility

Education

Supply Chain/Logistics/Operations qualification

Job description

WSR is recruiting for an experienced UK & European Distribution Centre Operations Manager on behalf of an established international client.

Location: UK preferred; European - based candidates considered

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum for UK-based candidates, depending on experience

Travel: Up to 50% across the UK and Continental Europe

Proposed start date: January 2027

Fluent business-level German and English are essential.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to lead warehouse and distribution operations across the UK and Continental Europe, with an immediate focus on the setup, launch and stabilisation of two new distribution centres.

Reporting to the Group Operations Director, you will oversee warehouse performance, inventory accuracy, customer fulfilment and transport services. Working with internal teams, third-party logistics providers and carriers, you will establish consistent operating standards and deliver improvements in service, productivity and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational performance across UK and European distribution centres, covering goods receipt, storage, picking, packing, dispatch and returns.
• Manage the operational setup and successful launch of new facilities, ensuring a smooth transition into day-to-day operations.
• Plan warehouse capacity, staffing and resources to meet forecasts, project requirements and business growth.
• Manage 3PL and transport partners through service reviews, contractual KPIs and improvement plans.
• Maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counting, stock audits, reconciliation and effective stock adjustment controls.
• Investigate discrepancies, picking errors, damage and losses, implementing corrective actions.
• Coordinate stock transfers between locations and manage slow-moving, obsolete and excess stock with relevant teams.
• Monitor delivery performance, lead times, freight costs and service issues, working with Sales and Customer Service to resolve problems.
• Develop operational dashboards covering safety, service, quality, inventory, productivity, cost and capacity.
• Improve warehouse processes, space utilisation and cost efficiency, identifying opportunities for automation where appropriate.
• Maintain operating procedures, support audits and ensure compliance with applicable health, safety and quality requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop operational teams while building effective relationships across the business.

About You

You will be an organised and commercially aware operations leader who combines practical warehouse knowledge with strong analytical and people management skills.

Essential experience and skills

• At least five years’ progressive experience in warehouse, distribution, logistics or operations management.
• Proven responsibility for warehouse performance, inventory control and customer fulfilment.
• Experience managing 3PL partners, transport providers and formal service-level reviews.
• Experience leading a warehouse launch, relocation, transition or significant operational change.
• Strong analytical skills, including KPI reporting, cost analysis and root-cause investigation.
• Confident leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of ERP, warehouse management and operational reporting systems.
• Fluent business-level German and English.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across UK and European locations, up to 50% of the time.

Desirable

• A relevant qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics or Operations Management.
• Lean, Six Sigma or equivalent practical continuous improvement experience.
• Experience within an international manufacturing, project-led or B2B distribution environment.
• Knowledge of warehouse automation, systems implementation or transport network optimisation.