Operations Manager

Pertemps Leeds; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Pertemps Leeds, a major UK retailer, is opening a new distribution facility in Doncaster. We seek an Operations Manager to lead warehouse and distribution strategy from the ground up, directing planning, product flow and resource management.

Based in Doncaster with initial three days in Warrington, you will coach managers, shape SLT priorities, deliver KPIs on productivity, safety and service, and build a high-performing team to support growth.

Qualifications

• Experienced warehouse or distribution leader with multi-team oversight.
• Warehouse planning, volume forecasting and labour management at scale.
• Automated operations and product flow management.
• Delivering change and measurable improvements in operational performance.
• Working within a unionised environment.
• Managing warehouse health and safety standards.
• Influencing senior stakeholders and developing talent.

Responsibilities

• Shaping operational priorities and long-term improvement plans as part of the SLT.
• Leading and developing warehouse managers and their teams.
• Planning inbound and outbound product flows to maximise throughput and automation capacity.
• Aligning labour, recruitment and training plans with operational demand.
• Delivering KPIs across productivity, service, safety and warehouse standards.
• Collaborating with buying, transport and network planning teams to maintain schedules and resolve issues.
• Improving inbound product and packaging standards for automated handling.
• Managing agency partners, suppliers and subcontractors against agreed service levels.
• Using performance data to drive continuous improvement and champion safe working practices.

Skills

Leadership

Warehouse planning

Labour management

Change delivery

Performance improvement

Stakeholder influence

Job description

Operations Manager – Warehouse & Distribution

Location: Doncaster – New Facility

Salary: Up to £90,000 depending on experience

A strategic appointment. A new facility. An opportunity to shape operational success.

Our client is a highly successful, privately owned national retailer with an extensive UK store network and ambitious growth plans.

The opening of a new distribution facility in Doncaster offers an exciting opportunity to shape operations, develop a high-performing team and support the company’s continued expansion.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you’ll combine strategic leadership with responsibility for warehouse operations, planning, product flow and resource management.

The role

Visible on the warehouse floor, you’ll coach managers, set clear expectations and drive performance. Your responsibilities will include:

• Shaping operational priorities and long-term improvement plans as part of the SLT.
• Leading and developing warehouse managers and their teams.
• Planning inbound and outbound product flows to maximise throughput and automation capacity.
• Aligning labour, recruitment and training plans with operational demand.
• Delivering KPIs across productivity, service, safety and warehouse standards.
• Collaborating with buying, transport and network planning teams to maintain schedules and resolve issues.
• Improving inbound product and packaging standards for automated handling.
• Managing agency partners, suppliers and subcontractors against agreed service levels.
• Using performance data to drive continuous improvement and champion safe working practices.

What you’ll bring

You’ll be an experienced warehouse or distribution leader, confident managing managers across multiple teams and combining strategic thinking with practical operational leadership.

Your experience will include:

• Warehouse planning, volume forecasting and labour management at scale.
• Automated operations and product flow management.
• Delivering change and measurable improvements in operational performance.
• Working within a unionised environment.
• Managing warehouse health and safety standards.
• Influencing senior stakeholders, making commercially sound decisions and developing talent.

Experience with UKG Dimensions/Kronos or similar workforce scheduling systems would be advantageous.

Supporting the new site opening

For an initial period, you’ll spend three days per week at the flagship distribution centre in Warrington, working alongside the General Manager to plan, manage, recruit and prepare for the Doncaster opening.

Accommodation and fuel/travel expenses will be covered. There is flexibility in how you arrange your week, with attendance required for key planning and SLT meetings.

This strategic appointment offers the opportunity to influence a new facility from the outset within an established, growing retailer.