Distribution Manager

KFC UK & I - Western European Supply Chain; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fast-food chain is looking for a proactive Distribution Lead to join its UK & Ireland Supply Chain team. This role involves managing distribution partners, enhancing operational excellence, and supporting supply chain strategy. Key qualifications include strong leadership and project management experience, as well as advanced skills in Excel and PowerBI. The position is based in Woking, England and offers hybrid working options. Attractive benefits include a company pension scheme and flexible parental leave.

Benefits

Hybrid working from Woking RSC

Up to 11% company pension contributions

Bonus scheme linked to performance

Private healthcare

25% off food

Qualifications

• Proven track record in supply chain or distribution management in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project leadership with measurable improvements.
• Advanced Excel skills with experience in analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead relationships with distribution partners for performance.
• Coach and develop direct reports, fostering accountability.
• Own KPI reporting to track and improve delivery performance.
• Partner with Procurement to manage product lifecycle.
• Drive improvement initiatives for efficiency and service quality.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Analytical skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Leadership and coaching

Excellent communication

Tools

PowerBI

Excel

Job description

WelcometoKFC.Homeoftherealones.

We sell the world’s best chicken.Seriously.Andwe’vedoneitsince1939,whentheideaofcrispy,originalrecipechickentookKentuckybystorm.Now,we’reproudtoserve1000+communitiesacrosstheUKandIreland,bringingthegrit,prideandiconicreputationthatwestartedwith,allthoseyearsago.

AcrosstheRestaurantSupportCentre(RSC),wecometoworktobeourselves,andtomakesomethingofourselves.Wewanttoseeourpotentialgothatlittlebitfurther,aspartofoneoftheworld’smosticonicbrands.

What’sthegig?Well,yousupportourrestaurants—andwe’llsupportyoueverystepoftheway.Simple.Ourdoorsareopen—andtheycantakeyouanywhere.

Allweaskisthatyoubeyou.Becausethatmakesus,us.Soundgood?Great.Let’sfindoutaboutthatjob.

TheTeam

We’retheenginebehindthebucket-makingsureeveryrestauranthaswhatitneeds,whenitneedsit.Fromsourcingingredientstodeliveringpackaging,furniture,andevenmarketing,ourSupplyChain&Procurementteamownsthejourneyfromfarmtofingers.Wethinkbig,challengethestatusquo,andcollaborateacrossthebusinesstokeepKFCrunningsmoothlyandgrowingstrong.

Abouttherole.

Weareseekingaproactiveandresults-orientedDistributionLeadtojoinourUK&IrelandSupplyChainteam.Inthisrole,youwillensureseamlessdeliveriestoourrestaurants,leadkeydistributionpartnerships,andplayapivotalroleindrivingoperationalexcellenceacrosstheregion.

YouwillworkcloselywiththebroaderUKISupplyChainteam,internalfunctionssuchasOperationsandCommunications,andourexternaldistributionpartners.ReportingdirectlytotheUKISupplyChainDirector,youwillalsosupportthedeliveryoftransformationalsupplychainprojectsandcontributetothelong-termstrategyofthebusiness.

Yourleadershipwilldirectlyimpactrestaurantperformanceandcustomersatisfaction,makingyouakeydriverofoursupplychainsuccess.

Whatyou’lldo:

DistributionPartnerManagement

• Leadandmanagerelationshipswithourtwoprimarydistributionpartners,ensuringaccountabilityandhigh-qualityperformanceacrosstheUK&Ireland.
• Serveastheprimarypointofcontactforrestaurantoperatorsondeliveryneedsandperformanceissues.

TeamLeadership&Development

• Coachanddevelopadirectreport(SupplyPlanner),fosteringacultureofgrowth,accountability,andhighperformance.

PerformanceTracking&Reporting

• OwndistributorKPIreporting,ensuringdataaccuracy,actionableinsights,andcontinuousimprovementindeliveryperformance.
• Presentclear,impactfulupdatestoseniorstakeholdersonsupplychainperformance,fundposition,andprojectprogress.

Cross-FunctionalCollaboration

• PartnerwithProcurementtomanageproductlifecyclechanges(newlistings,delisting,tenders)andensuresmoothexecutionwithindistribution.
• Workcloselywithdataexperts,leveragingtoolssuchastherestaurantorderingplatform,PowerBI,andExcelforperformanceanalysis.

ContinuousImprovement&Projects

• DriveimprovementinitiativeswithinDistribution,identifyingopportunitiestoenhanceefficiency,cost-effectiveness,andservicequality.
• Proactivelyresolveproductavailabilityanddeliveryissues,workingwithsuppliersanddistributorstomitigateimpactonrestaurants.
• SupportthedevelopmentandexecutionoftheUKISupplyChainstrategyandlong-terminitiatives.

StakeholderEngagement

• Actasabusinesspartnertointernal&externalstakeholders(GMs/CMOs/CFOs,FZ’s)tounderstandneedsandalignoncategorystrategies.

Experience

• Proventrackrecordinsupplychainordistributionmanagementwithinafast-paced,high-volumeenvironment.
• Strongprojectleadershipskills,withexperiencedeliveringmeasurableimprovementsandstrategicinitiatives.
• AdvancedExcelskillsandexperiencewithanalyticstools(e.g.,PowerBI)todrivedata-leddecisions.
• Excellentstakeholdermanagementskills,withtheabilitytoinfluenceandbuildtrustatseniorlevelsinternallyandexternally.
• Demonstratedleadershipandcoachingexperience,managinganddevelopingindividualsorsmallteams
• Excellentcommunicationandpartnershipskillswiththeabilitytoworkeffectivelywithinternalandexternalpartnersacrossregionalbusiness
• Youtakeownershipanddeliverwithaccountability,thrivinginanenvironmentofpaceandcomplexity.
• You’reacollaborativeteamplayerwithapositive,solutions-focusedmindset.
• Youadaptcommunicationtodiverseaudiences,buildingtrustandalignmentacrossteams.
• Youembraceagrowthmindset,continuouslyseekingopportunitiestolearn,improve,andinnovate

ABOUTYOU

• StrongskillsinExcel,PowerPointandOutlook.
• Quicktolearnandapplynewknowledge.
• StrongexperienceinSeniorDistributionroles,ideallywithinfoodindustryorrelatedfield.

What’sinitforyou:

Weofferbenefitsthatmakeyourlifethatlittlebiteasier—becauseweknowthejuggleisreal.

• ?HybridworkingfromourWokingRSC(just24minsfromLondon)
• ?Upto11%companypensioncontributions
• ?Fri-Yayfinishesat1pmeveryFriday
• ?25days’holiday(plusbankhols)
• ?5LiveWellDaysayear,justforyou
• ?Bonusschemelinkedtocompany&personalperformance
• ?Privatehealthcare,DigitalGPaccess&mentalhealthcoaching
• ?Enhancedparentalleaveandflexiblereturnoptions
• ?Studysupport,incomeprotection,lifecover&more
• ?Andyes—25%offthechicken

Becauserealonesdeserverealrewards.

TheRoadtobecomingarealone...

1. Apply(Goon...doit)–sendusyourCVandansweracoupleofappquestions.
2. IntrocallwithourTalentTeam
3. VirtualcallwithHiringManager
4. VirtualcallwiththeSupplyChainDirector

Ready?

Wehopeso,ifyou’rereadytobepartofourcommunity,now’sthetimetoapply.

BewareoffakejobpostingsusingYum!and/orourbrandlogos--KFC,PizzaHut,TacoBellandHabitBurger&Grill--onfraudulentsites.Yum!Brandsonlypostsjobsonofficialcareerspagesandneverasksformoneyduringonboarding.AvoidunsolicitedcontactsviaTelegram,WhatsApporsimilarsocialapps.

Compensation: Competitive salary