Hands-on Warehouse Manager: Lead & Optimize Operations

Loom Talent; Ashford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Loom Talent is seeking a Warehouse First Line Manager in Ashford, Surrey. This hands-on leadership role oversees goods-in through to despatch, ensuring customer requirements, targets, quality and safety are met.

The role leads a team, drives performance on the warehouse floor and reports to management with clear KPIs. The ideal candidate has warehouse supervisory experience in a 3PL/logistics environment, strong people management skills, and a solid grasp of WMS and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in warehouse operational management or supervision in 3PL/logistics/FMCG.
• Strong experience leading warehouse teams.
• Understanding of goods-in to despatch processes.
• Experience with operational KPIs and service-level targets.
• People-management: performance, attendance and development.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety in warehouse environments.
• Experience with WMS and IT literacy.
• Structured, numerate and methodical approach to performance management.
• Ability to make decisions in a busy environment.
• Experience identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider management team.
• Counterbalance or Flexi forklift licence advantageous; experience operating warehouse equipment.
• Experience of disciplinary processes and absence management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise warehouse teams across goods-in, storage, picking, handling and despatch operations.
• Ensure orders and outbound deliveries are processed accurately and on time using WMS.
• Own day-to-day operational performance: service, productivity, quality and cost targets.
• Lead daily shift briefings and ensure clear communication.
• Manage resources and workforce deployment, including seasonal planning.
• Monitor KPIs: productivity, quality, stock accuracy, service levels, attendance.
• Ensure Health & Safety procedures are followed.
• Identify and address quality, hygiene, damage and stock issues.
• Develop and motivate the warehouse team and manage performance.
• Create a positive, inclusive working environment.
• Investigate and resolve operational performance issues and customer concerns.
• Produce accurate daily/weekly reports for management and customers.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and service; implement improvements.
• Ensure policies and safe systems of work are followed.
• Collaborate with wider management to meet site objectives.

Skills

Warehouse management

Team leadership

Health & Safety

Operational KPIs

Problem solving

Tools

Warehouse management systems

Job description

Loom Talent is seeking a Warehouse First Line Manager in Ashford, Surrey. This hands-on leadership role oversees goods-in through to despatch, ensuring customer requirements, targets, quality and safety are met.

The role leads a team, drives performance on the warehouse floor and reports to management with clear KPIs. The ideal candidate has warehouse supervisory experience in a 3PL/logistics environment, strong people management skills, and a solid grasp of WMS and safety standards.