Section Manager - Outbound & Returns

The-Very-Group; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days holiday

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 fulfilment operation.

You will own your area end to end, create an environment where people feel supported, processes run smoothly and performance improves shift after shift. You will champion Our values and build strong, open relationships across the site.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large teams in fulfilment or manufacturing.
• Strong track record delivering departmental and site KPIs.
• Experience coaching, developing and engaging teams.
• Passion for colleague engagement and inclusive, high-performing cultures.
• Deep operational knowledge within automated fulfilment centres.
• Clear understanding of end-to-end fulfilment processes.
• Confident deputising for senior leaders when required.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing at all levels.
• Experience using Continuous Improvement tools to drive results.
• A data-led mindset with commercial awareness in decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the front, balancing people leadership with operational excellence.
• Deliver and exceed site KPIs across Outbound and Returns.
• Collaborate with Operations Managers to implement improvement plans.
• Set departmental targets to drive productivity, quality and adherence.
• Maintain understanding of end-to-end fulfilment and site integration.
• Develop a flexible, multi-skilled team and grow skills base.
• Optimize storage, conveyor usage and resource deployment.
• Drive cross-functional working to improve site performance.
• Ensure stock accuracy through robust process discipline.
• Maintain health and safety priority and participate in SOPs and risk reviews.
• Act as SME in area and model open, two-way communication.

Skills

Large team leadership

KPI delivery

Coaching & development

Stakeholder management

Continuous Improvement

Data-driven decision making

End-to-end fulfilment knowledge

Automated fulfilment environment

Performance & safety focus

Job description

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 your OperationsManagers 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.