Section Manager

John Lewis & Partners; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK retail company in Milton Keynes is seeking a Section Manager for its National Distribution Centre. The role involves leading a team to ensure efficient supply chain operations. Candidates should have logistics experience, stakeholder management skills, and a working knowledge of IT systems. Flexible working arrangements are supported to promote work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Experience in a logistics/supply chain environment is essential.
• Ability to manage stakeholder relationships effectively.
• Familiarity with managing a change agenda.
• Knowledge of various IT systems including Warehouse Management Systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate your team of Partners.
• Ensure the smooth running of the supply chain operation.
• Identify and implement improvement opportunities.
• Maintain alignment of resources to meet demand.
• Develop communication across teams to achieve KPIs.

Skills

Logistics/supply chain experience

Stakeholder relationship management

Change management in logistics

IT systems knowledge (MS Excel, MS Word)

Job description

About the role

As a Section Manager in one of our National Distribution Centres (NDCs), you'll have an important role of leading and motivating your team of Partners and ensuring the smooth running of the supply chain operation within your area of the site. You'll ensure the right stock in the right place at the right time for our shops and, ultimately, our customers, helping to drive sales and profitability for the Partnership.

At a glance

Role Title: Section Manager, National Distribution Centre

Position: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full Time, 37.5 hours a week, 5 days out of 7 with rotational weekends. Working alternative shift patterns of 06:00 to 14:00 and 14:00 to 22:00.

Shift Premium: 20% with an additional potential earning of up to £7,280 annually.

Location: Magna Park, Milton Keynes

Key Responsibilities

• Managing your team's development, ensuring they have the tools and time they need to thrive.
• Aligning Partner resource with the expected demand, maintaining a smooth operation.
• Identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing them with your team.
• Liaising with other departments and Partners to deliver site KPIs.
• Developing and maintaining communication between key stakeholders to ensure effective communication across teams.
• Building solid relationships with Partners and empowering them to take ownership of their operational success and personal development.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Previous experience working within a logistics/supply chain environment.
• Managing stakeholder relationships.
• Managing a change agenda in a logistics environment.
• Working knowledge of IT systems (MS Excel, MS Word, Warehouse Management Systems, DLx, email).

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Flexibility to cover other parts of the operation as required.

About The Partnership

We're the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home to 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 focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt, and diversify. We are committed to offering price, quality, and service excellence in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners, we share the responsibility of ownership and its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviors and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership a place where we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we're free to be ourselves and thrive. Growing individually and collectively.

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

Important points to note:

Some roles may require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks for successful candidates. You will be informed and provided with details about vetting during the recruitment process. We encourage you to complete any vetting documents promptly to avoid delays. DBS checks will be conducted by a registered third-party body, and financial probity checks may also be required for some roles.

We recommend applying early, as vacancies can close quickly if there is high interest.

We support flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts. Please discuss this during your interview with the hiring manager.