Operations Manager

Grafton Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Grafton Group in Greater London is recruiting an Operations Manager to lead warehouse and transport activities, ensuring safe, efficient and cost-effective goods movements. You will guide Warehouse Supervisors and Transport Supervisors, drive performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement alongside the senior leadership team.

This role demands strong leadership, excellent communication, and a proven track record in logistics operations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operations or logistics leadership role.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• Experience managing warehouse and transport operations.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and compliance.
• Experience using KPIs and reporting to drive performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of warehouse and transport operations.
• Directly manage Warehouse Supervisors and Transport Supervisors with clear objectives and accountability.
• Monitor daily performance and ensure workloads are well planned and resourced.
• Lead regular meetings to review priorities, performance, and service levels.
• Drive a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Support operational projects and business improvement initiatives.
• Ensure customer requirements and service expectations are consistently achieved.
• Oversee stock integrity and inventory accuracy across warehouses.
• Lead driver performance management and compliance with policies.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Warehouse operations

Transport operations

Health and safety compliance

KPIs & reporting

Communication skills

Coaching & development

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Operational management systems

Stock control software

Job description

About the Role

The Operations Manageris responsible forleading and managing warehouse and transport operations, ensuring the safe,efficientand cost-effective movement of goods whilst delivering exceptional service to customers.

The role provides leadership to Warehouse Supervisors, Transport Supervisors and operational teams, ensuring operational performance, colleague engagement,complianceand continuous improvementobjectivesare achieved.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, the Operations Manager drives operational excellence,maintainshigh standardsof health and safety, and supports the delivery of the organisation's strategicobjectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and management of warehouse and transport operations.
• Directly manage Warehouse Supervisors and Transport Supervisors, ensuring clearobjectives, performanceexpectationsand accountability.
• Monitor daily operational performance and ensure workloads are effectively planned and resourced.
• Conduct regular operational meetings with supervisors to review priorities,performanceand service levels.
• Drive a culture of accountability,teamworkand continuous improvement throughout the operation.
• Support the implementation of operational projects and business improvement initiatives.
• Ensure customer requirements and service expectations are consistently achieved.

Warehouse Management

• Oversee all warehouse activities
• Ensure stock is accurately managed andmaintainedat all times.
• Take ownership of stock integrity and inventory accuracy.
• Lead stock investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure warehouse processes are compliant,efficientand aligned with businessobjectives.
• Review warehouse performance andidentifyopportunities to improve productivity and service.

Transport Management

• Provide leadership and support to Transport Supervisors.
• Ensure transport operations are effectively planned and executed to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Monitor transport performance, drivercomplianceand fleet utilisation.
• Support driver performance management,coachingand development activities.
• Oversee transport compliance, vehiclecomplianceand operational standards.
• Support accident,collisionand vehicle incident investigations.
• Ensure all transport operationscomply withrelevant legislation and company policies.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Promote andmaintaina strong health and safety culture across all operational functions.
• Ensure safe systems of work are implemented and adhered to.
• Lead operational compliance activities relating to warehouse and transport operations.
• Manage and investigate accidents, incidents, near misses and safety concerns.
• Take ownership of incident reporting systems and follow-up actions.
• Conduct regular safety reviews and drive continuous improvement in operational safety.
• Ensure weekly fire alarm testing and other compliance activities are carried out in line with company requirements.

People Management

• Lead, motivate and develop supervisors and operational colleagues.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, coachingsessionsand performance reviews.
• Support succession planning and employee development.
• Manage colleague performance issues fairly and consistently.
• Encourage employee engagement and promote positive working relationships.
• Ensure staffing levels are appropriately managed to support operational requirements.
• Authorise and manage operational overtime budgets in line with business requirements.

Commercial and Operational Performance

• Participate in weekly commercial stock meetings.
• Monitor operational KPIs, service levels and productivity metrics.
• Analyse operational performance and implement improvement plans whererequired.
• Support budget management and cost-control initiatives.
• Drive efficiencies across warehouse and transport operations.
• Ensure operational resources are utilised effectively and sustainably.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead operational efficiency and business improvement projects.
• Review existing processes and implement best practice solutions.
• Encourage innovation and employee involvement in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to improve operational effectiveness.
• Support business change programmes and operational development plans.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in an Operations Manager, Warehouse Manager, Transport Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• Demonstrable experience managing warehouse and transport operations.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and operational compliance requirements.
• Experience of stock control and inventory management.
• Strong understanding of transport andlogisticsoperations.
• Experience managing operational performance through KPIs and reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to coach, motivate and develop teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and operational change.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and operational management systems.

Personal Qualities

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and influence others.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
• Commercially aware and results focused.
• Proactive with strong drive and initiative.
• Structured and detail-orientated approach.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and make informed decisions.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Committed tohigh standardsof customer service and operational excellence.
• Positive,enthusiasticand accountable.
• Team-focused with a hands-on management style.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance in the role will be measured against the following key performance indicators:

• Customer service and delivery performance.
• Warehouse productivity and accuracy levels.
• Stock accuracy and inventory integrity.
• Transport performance and fleet utilisation.
• Health and safety performance metrics.
• Compliance audit results.
• Employee engagement and retention.
• Operational cost control.
• Overtime management.
• Continuous improvement project delivery.
• Accident and incident reduction.
• Overall operational efficiency and service excellence.