Distribution Centre Shift Supervisor

IronmongeryDirect Limited; Basildon; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare

Enhanced family leave

Wellbeing program

Perks rewards platform

Job summary

IronmongeryDirect, a UK leader in architectural ironmongery, is seeking a Distribution Centre Shift Supervisor to lead a busy distribution centre shift. You will drive performance, support colleagues and ensure safe, efficient operations.

You will plan daily activities, coach the team and maintain high service standards, while collaborating with cross-functional colleagues to meet demanding timelines.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing teams within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to build engagement and high performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence and support others.
• Experience coaching colleagues and managing performance effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day operation of a busy distribution centre shift.
• Motivate and support colleagues to achieve productivity, service and safety objectives.
• Plan and coordinate daily shift activities, allocating resources to meet changing demands.
• Monitor productivity and take proactive action to maintain standards.
• Coach and provide feedback, addressing underperformance as required.
• Manage probation reviews, return-to-work meetings and performance discussions.
• Ensure orders are picked, processed and despatched on time.
• Maintain housekeeping, health and safety across all areas.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and shift performance.

Skills

People leadership

Team management

Communication

Planning

Job description

Thank you for choosing to apply for a role with us!

About Us

At IronmongeryDirect, we’ve been a trusted name in architectural ironmongery for over 50 years. What started as a traditional ironmongery shop has since grown into the UK’s leading direct supplier, delivering thousands of parcels each week. With a vast range of over 18,000 high-quality products available for next-day delivery, we’re the reliable choice for tradespeople who value efficiency, expert advice, and top-tier service. If you’re looking to be part of a dynamic, growing company that’s built on a foundation of trust and excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

We're proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure 2026 by Great Place to Work®, a reflection of the positive feedback from our own people and our commitment to creating an exceptional employee experience.

About the Role

As a Distribution Centre Shift Supervisor, you will be responsible for leading and coordinating the day-to-day operation of a busy distribution centre shift. You will ensure colleagues are motivated, supported and deployed effectively to deliver productivity, service, quality and safety objectives.

The role requires a visible and proactive leader who can make informed decisions, adapt to changing priorities and create a positive, accountable culture. Working closely with colleagues across the operation, you will take ownership of shift performance, develop team capability and ensure operational requirements are delivered efficiently and consistently.

About the Accountabilities

• Lead, motivate and support colleagues to achieve operational, productivity and service objectives.
• Create a positive, accountable and high-performing team culture through visible leadership and effective communication.
• Plan and coordinate daily shift activities, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to meet changing operational demands.
• Monitor productivity throughout the shift, identifying issues and taking proactive action to maintain performance standards.
• Coach, develop and provide regular feedback to team members, addressing underperformance where required.
• Conduct people management activities including probation reviews, return-to-work meetings, one-to-ones and performance discussions.
• Manage workforce requirements including holiday requests, sickness absence, shift cover and resource planning.
• Ensure customer orders are picked, processed and despatched accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Oversee core operational activities including replenishment, stock control, goods-­in processes and packaging availability.
• Review shift handovers, manage emerging issues and make effective operational decisions to minimise disruption.
• Build effective working relationships with managers, supervisors and support functions, escalating issues appropriately when required.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, health and safety and operational compliance across all working areas.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, team capability and overall shift performance.

About You - Essential

• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing teams within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to build engagement, accountability and high performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge and support others.
• Experience coaching colleagues and managing performance effectively.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems in a fast-moving operational environment.
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to respond positively to changing priorities and challenges.
• Experience using operational systems and technology to support daily decision making.
• A proactive approach with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

About You - Desirable

• Experience within a warehouse, logistics, manufacturing, retail or similar operational environment.
• Experience managing rotas, labour allocation or workforce planning.
• Experience conducting probation reviews, absence management or performance-related meetings.
• Knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or workforce management systems.
• Experience supporting productivity improvement or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Subsidised Private Healthcare for employees and their families
• Enhanced family leave benefits
• Fully funded Wellbeing offering operated by Health Shield with the ability to claim back medical costs, access to an EAP service including counselling sessions, a GP Anytime service and more!
• PERKS – a rewards platform offering hundreds of deals and discounts from the brands you know and love, helping your salary stretch a little further
• Discretionary annual company performance bonus
• Regular WOW awards for those that go above and beyond
• Staff discount on our products
• Long service awards, including the option to buy and sell up to three days per holiday year including additional annual leave, life insurance and increased employer pension contributions
• £500 refer a friend incentive scheme
• We believe in recognising great work, investing in personal growth, and supporting wellbeing.

Please note this job description does not claim to be exhaustive in the duties it defines, and it may to some extent change from time to time. This document will be reviewed during the annual appraisal process and any changes where appropriate will be made formally via the HR Department.

Due to the high volume of applications for this role, we will only be contacting suitable candidates. If you haven't heard from us within five working days, you have not been selected for the next stage in the hiring process.

IronmongeryDirect is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are committed to equal opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability or marital status. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.

Please download to view supporting documents below.

Unit 3 Scimitar ParkCourtauld RoadBasildonEssexSS13 1NDUnited Kingdom