First Line Manager

Cencora, Inc.; Hove; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Cencora, Inc. is seeking an experienced First Line Manager to lead a busy warehouse operation in the UK. You will motivate and support a team to hit daily KPIs while managing staffing, training and day-to-day duties under the Site Lead.

A focus on safety, compliance and continuous improvement will underpin your approach. You will balance people leadership with hands-on operational knowledge, ensuring great teamwork and high standards across the shift, with flexibility for additional hours as

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team in warehouse/distribution.
• Experience working with Tachograph Management Systems.
• Good knowledge of warehouse distribution processes.
• Ability to engage, motivate and develop colleagues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to use initiative and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with security, audit and compliance processes.
• General IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Good written and verbal communication.
• Proactive approach to improving performance and standards.
• Flexibility to work additional hours including weekends/bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support warehouse colleagues to achieve or exceed daily productivity, quality and operational KPIs.
• Implement the daily staffing plan, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to maintain optimum output.
• Monitor performance, escalating operational or staffing concerns as required.
• Support training on GDP and SOPs.
• Promote high standards of housekeeping, safety, security, compliance and discipline.
• Deliver team briefings, training and one-to-one conversations.
• Conduct return-to-work discussions for absence (first/second occasions).
• Build positive working relationships, providing direction and day-to-day support.
• Support Site Lead in achieving departmental and company objectives.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives within the operation.
• Provide cover for Line Manager responsibilities when needed.
• Carry out other duties to support operation.

Skills

Warehouse leadership

Team supervision

Tachograph management

Warehouse processes

Communication skills

IT skills

MS Office

Initiative & decision making

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking for an experienced First Line Manager to lead, motivate and support colleagues within a busy warehouse operation. As First Line Manager, you will be the first point of contact for your team during the shift, helping to ensure daily operational, productivity and quality targets are achieved. A key part of the role will be creating a positive working environment, supporting the development of colleagues and ensuring operational standards are consistently maintained. You will work closely with the wider Management Team and Site Lead, taking responsibility for staffing, performance, training and day-to-day operational activities while demonstrating the company's guiding principles.

• Lead, motivate and support warehouse colleagues to achieve or exceed daily productivity, quality and operational KPIs.
• Implement the daily staffing plan, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to maintain optimum operational output.
• Monitor performance throughout the shift, identifying and escalating operational or staffing concerns where required.
• Support the delivery of training on operational procedures, processes and company standards, including Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Promote high standards of housekeeping, safety, security, compliance and operational discipline across the warehouse.
• Support and deliver team briefings, training sessions and regular one-to-one conversations with colleagues.
• Conduct return-to-work discussions for first and second occasions of absence, with support from the Management Team where appropriate.
• Build positive working relationships across the team, providing clear direction, guidance and day-to-day support.
• Support the Site Lead in achieving departmental and wider company objectives.
• Promote and support company initiatives and continuous improvement activities within the operation.
• Provide cover for aspects of your direct Line Manager's responsibilities when required, supporting your ongoing development and future career progression.
• Carry out other reasonable duties as required by the Management Team to support the effective running of the operation.

We are looking for someone who can combine strong people leadership with a practical understanding of warehouse and distribution operations.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience leading, supervising or managing a team within a warehouse, distribution, logistics or similar operational environment.
• Experience working with Tachograph Management Systems.
• Good knowledge and understanding of warehouse and distribution processes.
• The ability to engage, motivate and develop colleagues, building positive working relationships across the team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence communicating with colleagues at different levels.
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to balance operational priorities and people-management responsibilities.
• The confidence to use your own initiative and make appropriate decisions within agreed responsibilities.
• The ability to prioritise effectively within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Familiarity with security, audit and compliance processes.
• Good general IT skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• A positive and proactive approach to supporting colleagues, improving performance and maintaining operational standards.
• Flexibility to work additional hours where required to meet business needs. This may occasionally include weekends and Bank Holidays and, where possible, will be agreed with as much notice as possible.

What You'll Bring to the Role As a successful First Line Manager, you'll be comfortable balancing the needs of your people with the demands of a busy warehouse operation. You'll be visible and approachable on shift, able to provide clear direction and confident in stepping in to resolve day-to-day operational challenges.
Our team members are at the heart of everything we do. At Cencora, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and every person here is essential to us being able to deliver on that purpose. If you want to make a difference at the center of health, come join our innovative company and help us improve the lives of people and animals everywhere. Apply today!

Salary: £39,797.59 per annum Hours: 22:00 to 06:00 Shift pattern: Any 5 nights over 6, Sunday to Friday night