Warehouse & Premises Manager

Detroit Institute of Arts; Hertford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts in Hertford is seeking a hands-on Warehouse & Premises Manager to lead our new UK warehouse. You will oversee equipment preparation, stock control and safety, while managing warehouse supervisors, technicians and freelancers to support live events projects.

Based at the Hertford site with occasional travel to other UK locations, you will drive efficient operations, ensure compliance and maintain Premises standards, delivering reliable service for a fast-paced team.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a warehouse or AV equipment team.
• Proven leadership of teams, shifts and performance reviews.
• Good understanding of warehouse operations, check-in/out and stock management.
• Experience with premises management, safety, security and maintenance contracts.
• Familiarity with rental management software (RentalWorks preferred).
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards.
• Organised and able to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent cross-department communication and collaboration.
• Willingness to travel to other locations occasionally.
• Physically capable of lifting up to 25 kg.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring efficient workflows and timely preparation of equipment for hire.
• Manage equipment movements, inventory control, check-in/check-out processes, transfers, shortages and stock audits.
• Maintain warehouse systems, procedures and documentation to be accurate and up to date.
• Coordinate planning, equipment preparation, loading schedules and transport with internal departments.
• Ensure inspections, certifications and maintenance meet safety and compliance requirements.
• Oversee the security, maintenance and presentation of company premises and coordinate repairs.
• Lead Warehouse Supervisors and teams, allocate workload, train and develop staff.
• Manage rotas, inductions and out-of-hours staffing as part of workforce planning.
• Promote a professional, collaborative and accountable working environment.

Skills

Warehouse management

Team leadership

Health & safety

Premises management

Inventory control

AV equipment

Tools

RentalWorks

Job description

Warehouse and Premises Manager

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.

If you're looking for your next challenge and bring the skills and experience required, we'd love to hear from you.