Head of Distribution Operations

John Lewis Partnership; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading employee-owned retail business is seeking a Head of Distribution to lead their logistics operations in Milton Keynes. This role focuses on enhancing supply chain efficiency through leadership and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in large-scale logistics and automation, with a drive for operational excellence. The position offers flexibility with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Employee-owned benefits

Continuous personal development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience at a senior operational level within large-scale e-commerce logistics/supply chain/fulfilment operations.
• Proven ability in developing change agendas in a logistics/supply chain environment.
• Delivering continuous improvement through people engagement and development.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-performing site teams to meet operational business plans and budgets.
• Own business processes and drive efficiency improvements.
• Translate business plans into a flexible operating model.
• Lead a critical 24/7 operation for branch replenishment.

Skills

Large-scale Supply Chain/logistics/Online fulfilment Operations

Warehouse automation/robotics experience

Senior operational level experience

Operational experience of Distribution centres

Developing change agendas

Continuous improvement through people engagement

Job description

About the role

We know flexible working is important to you, and it is important to us too. The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The Distribution team have the expectation of attending the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings but again, are flexible on this. The role is based at our Magna Park campus.

About the Role

As a leader in our business your number one focus is to challenge and empower your teams and others to create more value for our customers and our business.

As a leader in Distribution, you will realise the Partnership’s strategy and customer experience ambitions. You will shape the John Lewis automated NDC strategy, ensuring full optimisation and operational efficiency of the sites to deliver to the right place, at the right time and in the right quantity. You will lead the operation across multiple sites and will be responsible for delivering service excellence and developing propositions in line with the John Lewis line of business strategy. You will be focused and driven to achieve business outcomes through continuous improvement and an effectiveness and efficiency mindset, working with other functions to agree trade offs.

You will have the opportunity to develop and stretch personally and professionally to achieve your potential.

• Partner Level 4 - Head of

• Contract Type - Permanent

• Location - Magna Park Milton Keynes. with the opportunity for hybrid working.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Large-scale Supply Chain/logistics/Online fulfilment Operations

• Warehouse automation/robotics experience, from conception/design to implementation

• Experience at a senior operational level within large-scale e-commerce logistics/supply chain/fulfilment operations

• Relevant operational experience of Distribution centres

• Proven ability/experience in developing change agendas in a logistics/supply chain/fulfilment environment

• Delivering continuous improvement through people engagement and development.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Management within a dynamic and volatile environment

• Financial and budgetary control

• Project management

• Customer relationship management

Key outcomes and accountabilities (include but not limited to)

• Lead high-performing site teams to meet and deliver the operational business plan, budgets, goals, and objectives by coaching, empowering, and supporting teams to make decisions and resolve challenges, while also owning Partner succession plans and nurturing talent to ensure the appropriate flow of skilled Partners to meet the growing and ever-changing demands of the end-to-end supply chain.

• Own business processes, frameworks and tools within your area, continuously improving them to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

• Translate business plans into a flexible, agile and commercially sound operating model which offers new opportunities to integrate with suppliers, increase stock efficiency and reduce cost to serve ratios.

• Lead a critical 24/7 operation including branch replenishment and direct-to-customer fulfillment. By expertly navigating demand volatility and urgent requirements to consistently exceed stringent service level agreements across all channels.

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 environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.