Night Operations Manager

NWF Group; Wardle; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night shift allowance

Annual bonus 18%

Company Pension Scheme

Free on-site parking

Employee assistance program

Job summary

NWF Group's Boughey Distribution is seeking a Night Operations Manager at Wardle to lead all warehouse activities during nights, ensure safety, productivity and customer service, and act as senior site representative outside business hours.

You will develop Shift Managers, optimise labour, handle incidents, and drive continuous improvement using KPI data. The role offers a base salary of £60,000 with night shift allowance and an 18% annual bonus, plus pension and benefits.

Qualifications

• Significant operational leadership experience within warehousing/logistics/FMCG.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams in multi-shift 24/7 operations.
• Strong knowledge of WMS and performance reporting tools.
• Track record of using KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
• Understanding of Health & Safety compliance and safe systems of work.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety-first culture across all night operations.
• Provide visible leadership to drive performance and accountability.
• Manage labour resources to optimise productivity and cost control.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure handovers between night and day teams are seamless.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

People management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Safety compliance

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Job description

As Night Operations Manager, you will provide leadership and direction for all warehouse operations operating during nights at the Wardle site. You will oversee multiple operational areas, ensuring productivity, customer service, compliance, and colleague engagement targets are achieved.

You will be responsible for leading a substantial night-shift workforce and ensuring operational standards, service levels, and safety requirements are maintained across all warehouse activities.

The role requires independent decision-making and ownership of operational issues occurring outside standard business hours, acting as the senior site representative overnight and ensuring effective communication with the wider leadership team. Take overall responsibility for the site during night shifts, making key decisions to maintain operational performance, customer service and colleague wellbeing.

• Champion operational excellence, delivering exceptional service through accuracy, efficiency and a right-first-time approach.
• Ensure warehouse operations run safely, efficiently and in line with company procedures, customer expectations and industry standards.
• Inspire, develop and engage Shift Managers and Shift Coordinators, fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
• Manage labour resources effectively, optimising productivity while maintaining cost control and budgeted performance.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges quickly, implementing proactive solutions to minimise disruption and maintain service levels.
• Maintain high standards of stock integrity, inventory accuracy and operational compliance.
• Ensure effective communication and seamless handovers between night and day teams to support business continuity.
• Lead investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses, implementing corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Manage customer issues and escalations outside of normal business hours, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Take ownership of emergency situations and site incidents, following escalation procedures and business continuity plans where required.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, utilising structured problem solving techniques and operational data to identify root causes, eliminate waste and enhance operational performance.
• Support the implementation of operational change programmes, new customer requirements and business improvement projects.
• Ensure full compliance with all legal, regulatory, customer and quality standards, including Health & Safety, Food Safety, Security and BRCGS requirements.
• Monitor and report on operational performance, using KPI data and management information to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and talent development to build a strong and sustainable night operations team.
• Work collaboratively with site and senior leadership teams to achieve operational objectives and deliver outstanding customer service.

Significant operational leadership experience within a warehousing, logistics, FMCG environment.

• Proven success leading large, diverse teams within a multi-shift, 24/7 operation.
• Experience managing complex operational challenges and making sound decisions in a dynamic, time-critical environment.
• Strong working knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and operational performance reporting tools.
• A track record of using KPIs and performance data to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Sound understanding of Health & Safety legislation, risk management practices, and safe systems of work.
• Demonstrable people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, employee engagement, and talent development.
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to work autonomously and take ownership of operational outcomes.
• Resilient and composed under pressure, with the ability to respond effectively during incidents and periods of high operational demand.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the business.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of the impact operational decisions have on cost, service delivery and profitability.
• Analytical and data-driven approach to problem solving, with the ability to interpret trends and translate insights into actions.
• Proven experience identifying and implementing operational improvements though structure problem solving, continuous improvement methodologies or lean working practices.
• Highly organised, with strong planning and prioritisation skills and the ability to manage competing demands.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities, with a proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate operational records and documentation.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset, challenging existing processes and proactively seeking opportunities to improve safety, service, people performance and efficiency.
• Good understanding of relevant industry regulations, compliance requirements and quality standards.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to support changing business priorities and operational requirements.

Desirable

• A qualification in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• Experience working for a 3PL.
• Experience leading change initiatives, operational transformation projects or business growth programmes.

NWF Group comprises of 3 key businesses: NWF Fuels, NWF Agriculture & Boughey Logistics. Employing over 1,400 colleagues across the group, we encourage and empower our people to progress and move fluidly through the group, meaning the sky really is the limit when you join us!

What makes Boughey Distribution different? We store and transport food in a way that is best for our customers, people, communities and the planet! Boasting a 60-year heritage we are committed to on-going investment in our facilities, vehicles, systems and our people. We have more than 1.5 million square feet of warehouse space alongside 160 trucks & 365 trailers, and we want you to be a part of it!

Monthly Pay: £60,000 base salary plus additional night shift allowance of £3,510 per annum

• Bonus: 18% annual bonus
• Shifts: Sunday to Thursday 10pm to 6am
• Holidays: 33 days per year
• Progression Opportunities: Clear progression pathways across the wider group that operates 2 other business'
• Training Opportunities: Funded, accredited courses.
• Medicash: Cashback on routine medical expenses such as dental, optical, physiotherapy and more!
• Shopping Discounts: Save with discounts at major retailers like Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Currys, Debenhams and more!
• Travel Savings: Discounts on flights, hotels, and airport parking.
• Entertainment Offers: Reduced prices at over 400 cinemas across the UK, including savings on drinks and snacks.
• Dining and Lifestyle: Access to deals on restaurants, leisure activities, and other lifestyle services.
• Enhanced Policies: Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• The Usual: Company Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and financial support, Free Refreshments, Free Secure On-Site Parking!

Day to Day

• Lead by example in creating a safety-first culture, ensuring all colleagues take ownership of their own safety and the safety of those around them.
• Provide strong, visible leadership across all night operations, driving high standards of performance, accountability and professionalism.