Section Manager - Outbound & Returns

The Very Group; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive culture

22 days holiday + bank holidays

LinkedIn learning access

Bonus potential

Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

Matched pension up to 6%

Job summary

The Very Group is seeking a Section Manager to lead large operational teams across Outbound and Returns in a fast-moving, automated fulfilment environment. You will own your area end-to-end, driving performance, safety and quality while fostering development and accountability.

You’ll set clear targets, mentor multi-skilled teams, and collaborate with senior leaders to deliver site-wide improvements. This role is rooted in hands-on leadership with a strong culture of open communication.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large teams in fulfilment/manufacturing environments.
• Strong track record of delivering departmental and site KPIs.
• Experience coaching, developing and engaging teams; teamwork is the norm.
• Passion for colleague engagement and creating inclusive, high performing cultures.
• Deep operational knowledge within an automated fulfilment centre.
• Clear understanding of end-to-end fulfilment processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead large operational teams to deliver and exceed site KPIs.
• Collaborate with Operations Managers to deliver improvement plans across shifts.
• Identify and implement operational and process improvements with stakeholders.
• Set departmental targets driving productivity, quality and process adherence.
• Maintain understanding of end-to-end fulfilment and how your area fits into the bigger picture.
• Develop a flexible, multi-skilled team and grow the skills base.
• Optimise storage, conveyor usage and resource deployment for productivity.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to improve site performance.
• Ensure stock accuracy through robust process management and discipline.
• Maintain Health and Safety compliance and participate in SOP/risk reviews.
• Act as subject matter expert and champion open communication.

Skills

People leadership

KPI delivery

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Data-driven decisions

Team development

Tools

CI tools

Job description

Shift Pattern -4 on 4 off | 10am to 10pm | Across 7 days

Shift Pattern -4 on 4 off | 10am to 10pm | Across 7 days

About us.

We're the team behind digital retailer Very.

Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do.

And we want our people to get more out of life too! If you're high-performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you'll enjoy heaps of flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be yourself, keep learning and take your career wherever you want it to go.

If you love making a difference, you'll love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers.

About the role.

This is a big,fast-movingrole at the heart of our fulfilment operation. As a Section Manager, you will lead large operational teams across OutboundandReturns, keeping our customers front of mind whilehittingperformance,safetyand quality targets.

You will own your area end to end. That means creating an environment where people feel supported, processes work smoothly, and performance keeps improving shift after shift.

You will also be a key cultural ambassador forTheVery Group, setting the tone, role modelling our values and building strong, open relationships across the site.

What you will be doing

You will lead from the front, balancing people leadership with operational excellence. Day to day, you will:

• Lead large operational teams to deliver and exceed site KPIs

• Work closely with yourOperationsManagers to create and deliver improvement plans across all shifts

• Identify,planand implement operational and process improvements, engaging stakeholders every step of the way

• Set clear departmental targets that drive productivity,qualityand process adherence

• Maintain a strong understanding of theend to endfulfilment process and how your area fits into the bigger picture

• Develop a flexible, multi skilled team by actively managing and growing the skills base

• Optimise storage, conveyorusageand resource deployment to maximise productivity

• Drive effective cross functional working to deliver overall site performance

• Ensure stock accuracy through robust process management and strong operational discipline

• Keep Health and Safety front of mind,participatingin SOP and risk assessment reviews

• Act as a subject matter expert in your area while understanding wider site operations

• Champion open,two-waycommunication in a performance driven environment

About you.

This role suits a confident, resilient leader who thrives in a fast paced, automated environment and genuinely enjoys developing people.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading large teams in a fulfilment or manufacturing environment

• A strongtrack recordof delivering departmental and site KPIs

• Experience coaching, developing and engaging teams, with teamwork as the norm

• A passion for colleague engagement and creating inclusive, high performing cultures

• Deep operational knowledge within an automated fulfilment centre

• A clear understanding ofend-to-endfulfilment processes

• Confidence deputising for senior leaders whenrequired

• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels

• Experience using Continuous Improvement tools to drive results

• A data led mindset, with commercial awareness in decision making

• The ability to delegate effectively and develop future talent

• A flexible, proactive approach with a genuine desire to exceed targets

• The resilience to handle challenges, especially in a growing or start up environment

Some of our benefits

• Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews

• 22 days holiday + bank holidays

• LinkedIn learning access

• Bonus potential (performance and business-related)

• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

• Matched pension up to 6%

• More benefits can be found on our career site

Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities

We're building a culture of everyday inclusion, and welcome applications from anyone who believes they can do the job. We don't discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you need reasonable adjustments to apply, interview, or perform a role, let us know via [e-mail]. We'll be happy to support you.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have nine brilliant colleague networks - including DAWN (Disability Awareness at Very) and Think (Neurodiversity at Very) - that are helping us make Very an even more inclusive place to work.