Warehouse and Premises Manager

Detroit Institute of Arts; Hertford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts seeks a hands-on Warehouse & Premises Manager to lead a brand-new Hertford warehouse. You will supervise warehouse supervisors, technicians and freelancers, ensuring equipment is prepared, checked in/out, tested and stored safely.

You will also take responsibility for the premises, security and compliance. The role requires experience in AV, lighting or live events environments, strong leadership, and the ability to travel to other UK locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a warehouse or technical equipment preparation team.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise and develop teams, including rotas and staff reviews.
• Understanding of warehouse operations, equipment check-in/out, quality control and stock management.
• Experience managing premises, health & safety, security and maintenance contracts.
• Comfortable using computer systems; familiarity with rental management software is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring efficient workflows and timely preparation of equipment for hire.
• Maintain equipment preparation, quality control, testing, maintenance and stock accuracy.
• Manage equipment movements, inventory control, check-in/check-out, transfers, shortages and audits.
• Ensure warehouse systems, procedures and documentation are accurate and followed.
• Coordinate planning, preparation, loading schedules and transport with internal departments.
• Ensure equipment inspections, certifications and maintenance meet safety and compliance (PAT, LOLER).
• Oversee security, maintenance and presentation of premises, coordinating repairs and inspections.
• Lead Warehouse Supervisors and teams, assign workload, train and develop staff.
• Plan workforce needs, rotas, inductions and weekend/out-of-hours cover.
• Promote a professional, safe, collaborative environment with high standards of performance.

Skills

Warehouse management

Team leadership

Premises management

Health & Safety

Inventory control

LOLER/PAT testing

RentalWorks

Tools

RentalWorks

Job description

We are a global video and lighting service provider with multiple locations across the UK and the US. We bring an unrivalled service and technical know how to every project we deliver, supporting exhibitions, concerts, touring, conferences, theatre, TV, film and retail.

We are seeking a Warehouse & Premises Manager to join our UK team and take responsibility for the day to day leadership of our brand-new Hertford warehouse. This role combines hands‑on operational management with people leadership, ensuring equipment is prepared, checked in and out, tested and stored efficiently, safely and accurately, while also taking ownership of our premises.

The Warehouse & Premises Manager is responsible for overseeing a busy and fast paced warehouse, managing the warehouse supervisors, technicians and freelancers, maintaining high standards of quality control and Health & Safety, and ensuring equipment is available and ready to support projects across the business.

The role will be based at our Hertford warehouse. Occasional travel to our other UK locations, including Harlow, may be required to support operational requirements and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all day to day warehouse operations, ensuring efficient workflows, effective planning and timely preparation of equipment for hire.


• Maintain high standards of equipment preparation, quality control, testing, maintenance, repair and stock accuracy.


• Manage equipment movements, inventory control, check-in/check-out processes, transfers, shortages and stock audits.


• Ensure warehouse systems, procedures and documentation are accurate, up to date and consistently followed.


• Coordinate operational planning, equipment preparation, loading schedules and transport requirements, working closely with internal departments to resolve issues and meet deadlines.


• Ensure equipment inspections, certifications and maintenance are completed in line with safety and compliance requirements, including PAT testing and LOLER.


• Oversee the security, maintenance, safety and general presentation of company premises, coordinating repairs, contractors and statutory inspections as required.


• Take responsibility for warehouse health and safety, including risk assessments, fire safety, emergency procedures and staff awareness.


• Lead and manage Warehouse Supervisors, department Leads and wider warehouse teams, overseeing workload allocation, performance, training and development.


• Manage workforce planning, including rotas, inductions, weekend cover and out of hours staffing requirements.


• Promote a professional, collaborative and accountable working environment, maintaining high standards of safety, service and operational performance.

About you

• Previous experience managing a warehouse or technical equipment preparation team, ideally within AV, lighting, video or live events


• Proven experience leading, supervising and developing teams, including rotas, timesheets and staff reviews


• Good understanding of warehouse operations, equipment check-in/out, quality control and stock management


• Experience of managing premises, health & safety, security and maintenance contracts


• Comfortable using computer systems; experience of RentalWorks or similar rental management software is highly desirable


• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality standards


• Organised and able to prioritise workload effectively in a fast‑paced environment


• Positive, proactive and team oriented approach with a lead by example attitude


• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and with third parties


• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to other company locations as required


• Physically capable of lifting and moving equipment up to 25kg and working in an active warehouse environment


• Flexible and willing to work evenings and weekends when required

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, hands on leader to take ownership of a key operational function, leading a team and ensuring the safe, efficient running of the warehouse and premises that support projects across the live events industry.