First Line Manager

Autoglass; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Autoglass Maidstone is seeking a First Line Manager to lead a high-performing Distribution Centre team, driving safety, service levels and continuous improvement in a fast-paced warehouse environment.

You will coach and develop colleagues, manage day-to-day operations, recruit and onboard talent, and work with sales teams to maximise wholesale opportunities while maintaining stock accuracy and customer service.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in warehouse, logistics, distribution or operational environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong coaching and people development capabilities.
• High levels of emotional intelligence and the ability to lead with empathy.
• An agile, proactive and solution-focused mindset.
• Ability to adapt and lead through change.
• Commitment to health, safety and colleague wellbeing.
• IOSH qualification (or willingness to achieve one).
• A full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and motivating your team to achieve exceptional performance.
• Managing day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring productivity and service targets are achieved.
• Driving operational and financial KPIs through effective planning and performance management.
• Taking ownership of recruitment, onboarding and developing talent within your team.
• Creating a positive, inclusive and engaging workplace culture where success is recognised and celebrated.
• Championing health, safety and wellbeing, fostering a culture of zero harm.
• Building strong relationships across the Distribution Centre and wider business to share best practice and improve performance.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, service and colleague experience.
• Managing employee data and performance processes through Workday.
• Conducting meaningful wellbeing, performance and career development conversations.
• Ensuring warehouse equipment and operational procedures remain safe, compliant and effective.
• Supporting stock accuracy, resolving complex stock issues and contributing to outstanding customer service.
• Working closely with sales teams to maximise wholesale opportunities and business performance.

Skills

Leading teams

Communication

Coaching

Emotional intelligence

Change leadership

Health & safety

Driving licence

Tools

Workday

Job description

Contract Type: Regular

About Autoglass® and Laddaw® We’re a recognisedsuperbrandand we know where we’re going. We’re a business with direction and purpose and regardless of your role here, it’s about us all making a difference with real care. We never stand still. We’re relentless,innovativeand ambitious, always looking to go further and improve, which creates a world where we need genuine and driven people to help us get there. Making a Difference Together. As a truly people focusedbusiness, we believe in promoting opportunities for all, welcoming people who share our passion for enabling exceptional customer experience. We’ll support you with fantastic toolsand training in an atmosphere that encourages idea contribution and collaboration working with warm,friendly and real people. If this sounds like somewhere you’ll thrive,keep reading.

Maidstone £35,262 + benefits Full-time, permanent

Are you a passionate people leader with experience in warehouse or distribution operations? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to drive improvement? We're looking for a First Line Manager to join our Distribution Centre leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead, inspire and develop a high-performing team while ensuring outstanding operational standards, safety and customer service. If you're someone who leads from the front, embraces continuous improvement and enjoys creating an engaged and motivated workforce, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading, coaching and motivating your team to achieve exceptional performance
• Managing day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring productivity and service targets are achieved
• Driving operational and financial KPIs through effective planning and performance management
• Taking ownership of recruitment, onboarding and developing talent within your team
• Creating a positive, inclusive and engaging workplace culture where success is recognised and celebrated
• Championing health, safety and wellbeing, fostering a culture of zero harm
• Building strong relationships across the Distribution Centre and wider business to share best practice and improve performance
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, service and colleague experience
• Managing employee data and performance processes through Workday
• Conducting meaningful wellbeing, performance and career development conversations
• Ensuring warehouse equipment and operational procedures remain safe, compliant and effective
• Supporting stock accuracy, resolving complex stock issues and contributing to outstanding customer service
• Working closely with sales teams to maximise wholesale opportunities and business performance

What We’re Looking For

• Experience leading teams within a warehouse, logistics, distribution or operational environment
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong coaching and people development capabilities
• High levels of emotional intelligence and the ability to lead with empathy
• An agile, proactive and solution-focused mindset
• The ability to adapt and lead through change
• A commitment to health, safety and colleague wellbeing
• IOSH qualification (or willingness to achieve one)
• A full UK driving licence

Why Join Us?

• The opportunity to lead and develop a talented team
• A supportive leadership environment that values collaboration
• Ongoing development and career progression opportunities
• The chance to make a real impact on operational success and colleague engagement
• Being part of a business committed to safety, wellbeing and continuous improvement

Success in This Role

• Excellent productivity and operational performance
• High levels of stock accuracy and supply chain compliance
• Outstanding employee engagement
• Zero lost-time accidents
• Strong customer service and delivery standards
• Continuous improvement across key operational measures
• Achievement of individual and team objectives

If you're a people-focused leader who can inspire teams, drive results and champion a culture of safety, engagement and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

Accessibility:We make every effort to make our web presence accessible to all. Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, we’ll provide reasonable accommodations to individuals who need assistance in the application/hiring process.

For 40 years we’ve maintained our position as the UK’s favourite vehicle glass specialist, fitting safety as standard for millions of customers each year. Our people are innovative, collaborative and customer-focused – together, we support each other to achieve real excellence in everything we do. Since 1972, Autoglass® has been proud to provide mobile vehicle glass services to UK customers, and over the years we’ve become a household name and national superbrand. In 1982, we became part of the world’s largest vehicle glass replacement business upon joining Belron® Group. In 1990, Autoglass® revolutionised the vehicle glass industry by introducing the first ever vehicle glass repair service (Glass Medic®), thanks to a technical innovation introduced by Belron. Established in 1975, Laddaw® is our wholesale glass business. Our customer’s ever-changing requirements are the driving force behind the development of all our products, technologies and support services. Through our purpose-built distribution centre, we offer our customers access to a great range of products.