National Distribution and Operations Manager

LWC Drinks; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the drinks wholesale sector is seeking a National Distribution and Operations Manager to oversee and optimise distribution strategies across the UK. This role involves ensuring operational efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction while managing a significant budget and leading a team towards strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Proven senior-level experience in multi-site distribution/logistics leadership within FMCG, drinks, or wholesale sectors.
• Strong track record of operational improvements, cost efficiencies, and high service levels.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimise the end-to-end distribution strategy across 18 UK distribution sites.
• Manage the national distribution budget, identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure all sites operate in compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Operational Excellence

People Management

Customer Focus

Compliance & Risk

Cost & Budget Management

Technology & Systems

Tools

WMS

TMS

Job description

Job Title: National Distribution and Operations Manager

Reports to: Managing Director

Depot: National Role

Main Duties

As the National Distribution and Operations Manager, you will lead and optimise the end-to-end distribution strategy across our 18 UK distribution sites. This pivotal role ensures best-in-class service delivery, operational efficiency, and compliance across all LWC depots. The role is key in supporting the company's growth, customer satisfaction, and sustainability targets. You will work closely with the Regional Leadership Team to deliver strategic initiatives and drive continuous improvement in our supply chain network.

Key Skills

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a national distribution strategy aligned with business goals and customer expectations.
• Lead the transformation of distribution and warehousing capabilities to support changing business needs, including new depot openings, business acquisitions, and technological advancements.

Operational Excellence

• Lead a team of 5 Regional Operations Managers overseeing daily depot operations to meet or exceed service, cost, and quality KPIs.
• Establish and ensure the implementation of standard operating procedures across all depots.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery performance and warehouse productivity.

People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop Regional Distribution Managers and depot teams, fostering a high-performance, safety-first culture.
• Champion talent development and succession planning within the depot network.

Customer Focus

• Ensure distribution and operations support excellent customer service through efficiency and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with depot teams to align distribution operations with customer needs.

Compliance & Risk

• Ensure all sites operate in full compliance with health and safety, transport, and environmental regulations.
• Develop contingency and risk management plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions.

Cost & Budget Management

• Manage the national distribution budget, identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising service quality.
• Oversee the company fleet budget, circa £15 million.
• Control costs related to labour, fleet, warehousing, and third-party logistics.

Technology & Systems

• Promote the use of logistics technologies and warehouse management systems to enhance operational performance.
• Lead data-driven decision making through analytics and reporting dashboards.

Knowledge And Experience

• Proven senior-level experience in multi-site distribution/logistics leadership within FMCG, drinks, or wholesale sectors.
• Strong track record of operational improvements, cost efficiencies, and high service levels.
• Deep knowledge of transport and warehousing operations, including fleet and HGV logistics.
• Experience managing large, dispersed teams and implementing national standardisation.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Financial and analytical acumen with commercial awareness.
• Familiarity with WMS and TMS systems.
• Willingness to travel regularly across the UK.

About LWC: As the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler, LWC has been delivering excellence in product, service, and knowledge for over 40 years. We serve over 15,000 customers from 18 depots, operating seven days a week. Our portfolio includes award-winning brands and wines. Recognitions include 2nd place in Harpers Wine & Spirit’s 2024 Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers List, Value Merchant of the Year 2024, and Best Distribution Company by The Drinks Business. With over 1,600 employees, we are committed to sustainability and social responsibility, fostering a culture of shared values and growth.