Head of Operations

Booker; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Booker is seeking a Head of Operations for Best Food Logistics to lead depot operations across six sites and a national footprint. The role requires strong leadership to drive performance, cost control and safety standards while enabling flexible, compliant operations.

You will manage a senior team, align with strategic plans, and ensure the delivery of high-quality customer service across warehousing, transport, and facilities. Travel nationwide is expected.

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading multi-site warehouse and distribution operations.
• Strong financial acumen with budgets, cost control and capital expenditures.
• Experience managing health, safety and legal compliance across sites.
• Experience negotiating with unions and external contractors.
• Ability to travel nationwide and collaborate cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Senior Management team across multiple sites, driving performance and development.
• Prepare and control budgets for all sites to meet service and KPI targets.
• Monitor KPIs and adjust plans to maintain cost efficiency and service levels.
• Develop management talent and ensure health, safety and legal compliance.
• Engage with unions and stakeholders to maintain positive industrial relations.

Skills

People management

Operational leadership

Budget management

KPI tracking

Health and Safety knowledge

Union experience

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Job description

We operate the UK’s ONLY flexible multi-temp, shared customer delivery logistics network. We buy, warehouse, pick and distribute products to the nation’s best loved food and drink brands every single day and provide the best experience to our customers.

As Head of Operations for Best Food Logistics, your role is to manage, lead and develop the depot operations teams within the Warehouse, Transportation & National Facilities to ensure that the company’s Health, Safety and Legal elements are upheld and that quality, services and financial targets are met.

This role is working 40 hours per week. This is a national role which will require travel to all 6 sites. It also offers you the opportunity to work from any one of our 3 main locations.

• Lead a Senior Management team consisting of Seven direct reports
• Prepare, manage and control the cost, revenue and capital budgets for all sites ensuring cost-effective methods of operations are used whilst achieving both customer service and operational KPIs
• Ensure that each operation is provided up to date client volumes and promotional activities to ensure the team can effectively plan and have sufficient flexibility to control costs in periods of lower volumes
• Daily/weekly monitoring of all key KPI targets through completion of numerous metricise
• Manage the performance of all Direct Reports by setting objectives, measuring progress and feeding back on performance outcomes
• Develop the management team to ensure that the company objectives can be met and ensuring that the operation is managed in a way that the company is Health, Safe and Legal at all times.
• Undertake “Business tenders” aligned to Booker/Tesco for the key elements of the business, Fleet, MHE, Facilities, and assist in the management of 3rd party contractors utilised by operations to ensure they provide a high- quality service in a cost-effective manner and within budget
• Engage effectively with the Unions and maintain good industrial relations through relationships with the Union reps and national Officers
• Work collaboratively with the other departments throughout the business and the Operations Director to maximise the effectiveness of the warehouse and distribution activities
• Making difficult decisions for the good of the business
• Day to day communications to senior Leadership team on operational updates
• Continuous management of performance levels aligned to the business KPI’s ensuring targets are consistently met within operational efficiencies & cost parameters
• Provide support to all direct reports in achieving objectives, developing and encouraging individuals throughout the operation to obtain their full potential
• Continuous improvements in KPIs throughout the business ensuring sustainability and continuity, managing the financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities, ensuring consistency, legal compliance and best practice across the division.
• Contribute to the strategic plans of the business and support in the efficiencies and effectiveness of the Best Food Logistics network
• Working closely with other departments, Transportation Planning, Procurement, Client relations, Customer services, Finance, CAD to ensure clear communication lines are maintained to achieve objectives and budgets
• Ensure consistency, Health, Safe & legal compliance and best practice across the division.

Essential:

• Possess excellent people management skills and the ability to influence at all levels
• Proven track record for delivering a consistently high operational performance
• Commercial awareness, finance, customer service requirements and excellent knowledge and experience of warehouse, transport and facilities operations
• Ability to negotiate and challenge the “Status Quo” effectively at all levels
• Experience of working with and managing unions
• Flexibility – The role covers all sites throughout the country, therefore there is a requirement to travel nationally
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Health and Safety legislation
• Understand how to implement & utilize Performance Management tools and techniques

Desirable:

• A min of 5 years’ experience within a multi-site, fast-moving warehouse and distribution environment, having previously held a senior management position
• A Transport Manager CPC would be an advantage
• Commercial acumen, experience of negotiating contracts and tenders

Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, 8 distribution centres, 5 Best Food Logistics sites, as well as 6 support centre locations across the UK.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we’re a place where Everyone’s Welcome.

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That’s why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers; some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you.

We’re proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed Leader and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support you can expect, please contact [e-mail]

Please note

We can only accept candidates over the age of 18 if the role requires working before 6:15 am or after 9:45 pm or involves working in areas such as the warehouse, beers, wines & spirits, and driving roles.

On the occasions where we have high volumes of applicants, some roles may close earlier than the advertised end date in order for us to manage all of the applicants appropriately. We will only be able to offer individual feedback to those candidates who attend an interview.

*Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however, is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco*

For more information about us please visit www.bookergro upjobs.co.uk