First Line Manager (VNA) - 2pm - 10pm

Hachette UK Limited; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading distribution company in the UK is looking for a VNA Team Leader to lead and develop a high-performing team. The role involves planning operations to meet KPIs, working closely with various internal and external partners, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership qualities, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for team development. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous holidays and a pension plan.

Benefits

34 days annual holiday including Bank Holidays

Pension Plan and Life Assurance schemes

Company enhanced family policy

Reward programme with discounts at retailers

Cycle to Work scheme

Free onsite parking

Free tea and coffee

Qualifications

• Strong leader with a can-do attitude and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working across multi departmental functions is essential.
• Ability to motivate, coach, and develop team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the VNA team, ensuring high performance.
• Plan, forecast and monitor VNA operations to achieve targets.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners for smooth operations.
• Drive improvements and identify trends through performance data analysis.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and company policies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Planning

Team management

Analytical skills

Tools

Excel

Fleet management system

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the VNA team (Team Leader & Drivers), ensuring high performance, engagement and adherence to company policies.
• Plan, forecast and monitor daily, weekly and monthly VNA operations to achieve targets, KPIs and organisational objectives.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external partners (e.g., Linde Material Handling, Körber, Jucie, Renovotec) to ensure smooth operations and effective issue resolution.
• Analyse performance and process data (using Excel, Plancise etc), identify trends, and proactively drive improvements and opportunities for optimisation.
• Oversee the management of MHE licences, maintain fleet records, ensure accurate and timely data via fleet management system and ensure highest standards of housekeeping.
• Convey clear and accurate information across the operational team via correct communication channels; support audit counts, third‑party relations and data requirements.
• Lead change initiatives from planning, testing through implementation, embrace continuous improvement and challenge existing processes.
• Manage employee related activities: recruitment, performance reviews, development plans, 1:1 meetings, training (H&S, SOPs) and maintain accurate records.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, company policies, environmental management and internal audit standards.
• Provide flexible support to cover all areas of operations as required, working collaboratively with other operational managers.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate should be a strong leader and have a can‑do attitude with excellent communication skills both written and verbal. They will have experience of working across a multi departmental function. This role is a blend of team leadership, strategic planning and delivering, as well as working closely with internal and external partners to achieve a common goal. The role requires a high degree of planning and team management with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others, as is the character to inspire the team.

About Us

We, Hachette UK Distribution, are the leading book distribution company in the UK. We are one of the most advanced distribution centres in Europe, with leading‑edge automation and modern systems which will ensure world‑class service to customers and publisher clients. We ship in excess of 60 million books globally each year and supply one out of every four books to the UK trade.

Our mission is to make it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment and opportunity. Hachette UK Distribution is part of the Hachette UK publishing group.

Our people are our greatest asset and our benefits reflect this. Therefore, we offer an extensive list of benefits that include:

Benefits

• 34 days annual holiday including Bank Holidays
• Pension Plan and Life Assurance schemes
• Company enhanced family policy including maternity, paternity and shared parental
• Reward programme giving discounts, savings and cash back at numerous retailers
• 2 Community Days per year
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Generous discounts on books we publish
• Mental Health First Aiders / Champions and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Wide‑range training library
• Development Programmes including Mentoring
• Staff Events
• Many employee networks to join
• Free onsite parking
• Free tea and coffee

Equal Opportunities

Our commitment Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio‑economic, regional and cultural backgrounds. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.