First Line Manager

Kuehne+Nagel; Telford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days' annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Route 2 Rewards programme

Wellbeing centre

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel in Telford is seeking a First Line Manager to lead day-to-day Contract Logistics operations at our site. You will manage a team of Team Leaders, Warehouse Operatives and Administrators, driving performance, safety and service excellence.

This role emphasizes operational planning, resource allocation and continuous improvement, with a hands-on leadership style to motivate a fast-paced team in a dynamic logistics environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in large fast-moving logistics environments.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Contract Logistics operations at the Telford site.
• Manage and develop a team of Team Leaders, Warehouse Operatives and Administrators.
• Plan resources and allocate capacity to meet service levels.
• Drive continuous improvements in processes, quality gates and safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and company policies.

Skills

Logistics management

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Tools

JDA/Red Prairie

Job description

It's more than a job

As part of the Contract Logistics team at Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in designing, managing, and optimizing solutions that keep goods moving efficiently. Whether you’re leading a team, engineering processes, or driving projects, your work ensures that our customers’ products are stored, handled, and delivered with precision. From everyday essentials to seasonal items, what we do in Contract Logistics impacts businesses and communities around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, your contribution goes far beyond the warehouse—it helps shape the flow of global trade.

Due to an internal move, we’re looking for a driven First Line Manager to lead from the front at our Telford site. This is a key role where you’ll take ownership of day to day operations, ensuring performance, productivity, and service levels consistently meet customer expectations. You’ll manage and develop a team of Team Leaders, Warehouse Operatives, and Administrators, creating a positive, high performing environment focused on quality and efficiency.

You’ll be responsible for operational planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement across your area, identifying opportunities to enhance processes and drive results. Strong leadership, clear communication, and a proactive approach are essential as you motivate your team and maintain high standards of safety, compliance, and performance.

If you’re an people manager with a passion for operations and delivering results, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact within a fast paced, supportive logistics environment.

How you create impact

• Responsible for effective and efficient Operational Area Management as applicable and as required
• Conduct Management Briefs as required
• Undertake Absence / Discipline Management activities as required.
• Create and maintain an environment that encourages employee participation and effective team working and ensuring employees are involved in the success of the operation through continual feedback and positive communication.
• Undertake effective Resource Utilisation, Planning and Management activities as required
• Manage Staff Training and Competency to ensure achievement of all requirements, on time and in full, including conducting training needs analysis.
• Maintain QSHE Boards and keep them up to date.
• Be an Ambassador for Quality and actively participate in continuous quality improvements, including driving changes in quality gates and culture

What we would like you to bring

• Logistics management experience in a large fast moving environment is desirable
• Strong warehouse system experience
• Leadership qualities including the ability to enthuse and motivate
• Financial and strategic management experience and commercial awareness
• Drive, determination and a track record in delivering continuous improvement
• Ability to influence, negotiate and deal with conflict successfully
• A strong knowledge of Health & Safety at work
• Experience of working to agreed targets
• Preferred experience (not essential) of JDA/ Red Prairie systems
• Intermediate PC Skills: Excel, Word, Outlook

What's in it for you

Join Kuehne+Nagel and build your future with us. We believe in recognising and rewarding the commitment, expertise and passion our people bring every day.

• 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to earn additional leave through length of service
• Contributory Kuehne+Nagel pension scheme
• Route 2 Rewards programme, offering employee discounts, recognition initiatives, wellbeing resources and a dedicated wellbeing centre to support you both professionally and personally

As a proud holder of the Gold Armed Forces Covenant Award, we are committed to being a forces friendly employer and actively welcome applications from service leavers, reservists and veterans. We recognise the valuable skills, experience and perspectives they bring to our business and are proud to support their transition into civilian careers.

Please be aware that by applying for this role, you are agreeing to participate in the employment screening process. This process will include criminal record checking and identity validation. This means that KN will ask successful applicants to provide certain information and documentation to enable these checks to be conducted.

Any appointment will then be strictly conditional upon, and subject to, the receipt of satisfactory results of these checks.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life‑saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

We kindly advise that placement agencies refrain from submitting unsolicited profiles. Any submissions of candidates without prior signed agreement will be considered our property and no fees will be paid.