Functional Expert, Warehouse

jlp; Darwen; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Parkinson, part of the John Lewis Partnership, is seeking a permanent Warehouse & Logistics Operator to support safe receipt, storage, picking and despatch of materials to meet production demand. Based at Darwen, the role offers a day shift and an enhanced night premium for late hours, with a focus on safety and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Planning & Logistics Manager, you’ll lead by example, motivate partners, and ensure accurate stock movements and timely deliveries.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a Warehouse, Stock control role.
• Strong capacity to prioritise, multitask, and manage deadlines.
• Flexible, adaptable and able work well under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Licence to operate FLT, Wave trucks & other relevant Warehouse equipment / Ability to obtain licence via training

Responsibilities

• Promote a positive Health & Safety and Continuous Improvement culture, ensuring high standards of housekeeping are maintained.
• Ensure the timely & accurate booking in & safe put away of all incoming deliveries through our in-house systems, reporting any discrepancies identified.
• Ensure the timely and accurate picking of materials to feed manufacturing lines, confirming all inventory movements promptly in the system.
• Conduct regular inventory checks to ensure physical stocks are accurately reflected on systems.
• Investigate issues identified and resolve / elevate where appropriate.
• Operate all Warehouse vehicles and equipment in a safe manner, with the relevant PPE, adhering to SOP's.
• Collaborate with cross-functional internal stakeholders to ensure all customer orders are accurately located, consolidated, and ready for despatch to meet customer requirements.
• Collaborate with transport partners & field team to ensure timely & accurate delivery of all customer orders.
• In addition to fulfilling Warehouse activities, you will liaise with the Planning & Logistics Manager to optimise the Warehouse labour plan to meet customer requirements.
• You will motivate the team; supporting & encouraging all partners to achieve performance targets, sharing performance concerns through your direct reporting line.
• Ensure Partners have all the relevant tools & equipment to perform their role inclusive of available & working equipment.
• Ensure the work environment - internal & external, is kept safe, clean and tidy, reporting any concerns of unsafe, hazardous activity through your reporting line.

Skills

Warehouse experience

Stock control

Prioritisation & multitasking

Ability to work under pressure

Education

NEBOSH/IOSH qualification

Tools

FLT licence

Wave trucks

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

At Herbert Parkinson, a proud and historic part of the John Lewis Partnership, we are embarking on an exciting transformation journey to secure our long-term success. By investing in state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, streamlining our operations, and creating broader, more fulfilling roles for our Partners, we are building a more sustainable and agile future. Join us as we continue to deliver exceptional quality and service for our customers while empowering our partners to thrive

Reporting directly to the Planning & Logistics Manager, you will support & assist warehouse and logistics operations to ensure the safe, efficient receipt, storage, picking, and despatch of raw materials, consumables, and finished goods. In this role, you will power manufacturing operations and meet customer demand while driving key branch KPIs

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.25 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

Expected salary - £31,700-£47,500 (dependent on experience)

Contract type - This position is a Permanent role. 38.75 Hours per week

Location - This role is based at our Herbert Parkinson Office in Darwen Nr Manchester.

Hours of work - 08:00 - 16:00

Key responsibilities

• Promote a positive Health & Safety and Continuous Improvement culture, ensuring high standards of housekeeping are maintained. Ensure recycling tasks across production and warehouse, including coordinating collection, sorting, and processing activities. All accidents, near misses & areas for opportunity are communicated and addressed
• Ensure the timely & accurate booking in & safe put away of all incoming deliveries through our in-house systems, reporting any discrepancies identified
• Ensure the timely and accurate picking of materials to feed manufacturing lines, confirming all inventory movements promptly in the system
• Conduct regular inventory checks to ensure physical stocks are accurately reflected on systems.
• Investigate issues identified and resolve / elevate where appropriate.
• Operate all Warehouse vehicles and equipment in a safe manner, with the relevant PPE, adhering to SOP's. Ensuring all daily start up checks are performed prior to use
• Collaborate with cross-functional internal stakeholders to ensure all customer orders are accurately located, consolidated, and ready for despatch to meet customer requirements
• Collaborate with transport partners & field team to ensure timely & accurate delivery of all customer orders
• In addition to fulfilling Warehouse activities, you will liaise with the Planning & Logistics Manager to optimise the Warehouse labour plan to meet customer requirements
• You will motivate the team; supporting & encouraging all partners to achieve performance targets, sharing performance concerns through your direct reporting line
• Ensure Partners have all the relevant tools & equipment to perform their role inclusive of available & working equipment
• Ensure the work environment - internal & external, is kept safe, clean and tidy, reporting any concerns of unsafe, hazardous activity through your reporting line

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Demonstrable experience in a Warehouse, Stock control role
• Strong capacity to prioritise, multitask, and manage competing deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable and able work well under pressure in a dynamic environment
• Licence to operate FLT, Wave trucks & other relevant Warehouse equipment / Ability to obtain licence via training

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Sound knowledge of Continuous improvement methodologies, problem solving & root cause analysis.
• Recognised health and safety qualification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH
• Experience working with projects and with collation of goods for projects

Closing Date

November 5, 2026

Pay

£31,700.00 - £47,500.00 Annual

Contract Type

Permanent

Hours of Work

38.75

Job Level

Partnership Level 9

Where You’ll Be Working

Herbert Parkinson, Harvest Mill, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0HR

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an envir