Warehouse Section Leader

Gist Limited; Crewe; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% discount (M&S)

20 days annual leave

Healthcare cash plan

Pension (Auto Enrolment)

Wellbeing support

Induction & training

Cycle to work

Job summary

Gist Limited in Crewe is seeking a Warehouse Section Leader for our night operation. You will lead a busy team on the warehouse floor, ensuring safe, accurate and efficient delivery of the operational plan.

You’ll monitor KPIs, provide clear direction, train new staff and coordinate resources across the shift, building strong working relationships and upholding health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or coordinating people within a warehouse or fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to lead a busy operational team with clear direction and standards.
• Experience using warehouse KPIs to drive performance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day‑to‑day activity of Warehouse Operatives and priorities for the shift.
• Deliver the operational plan safely, accurately and efficiently.
• Provide direction and ongoing support to colleagues during the shift.
• Monitor KPIs and drive improvements where performance is off track.
• Support induction and training of new and existing staff.
• Escalate and resolve day‑to‑day operational issues as needed.

Skills

People leadership

Warehouse management

KPIs tracking

Safety awareness

Staff training

Tools

WMS

Job description

At Gist, we're proud to be part of the M&S Group, the logistics engine behind M&S Food.

From our distribution centres to our transport operations and support functions, we connect people, technology and expertise to ensure the right products reach the right stores at the right time.

As we continue to invest in our people, technology and network, there's never been a more exciting time to join Gist and help shape the future of food logistics.

Are you an experienced warehouse professional ready to take on greater responsibility within a busy operation?

We’re looking for a Warehouse Section Leader to join our night operation in Crewe, playing a key role in coordinating the warehouse team and ensuring we deliver safely, accurately and efficiently throughout the shift.

This is a hands‑on, front‑line leadership role where you’ll be a visible presence on the warehouse floor. You’ll help organise activity, set clear expectations, monitor performance and support colleagues to deliver against the operational plan.

For this role, we’re looking for someone who already has experience leading or coordinating people within a warehouse or similarly fast‑paced environment. You’ll be comfortable working with different personalities, providing clear direction and dealing with day‑to‑day people and operational situations in a fair and consistent way.

You might currently be a Warehouse Team Leader, Section Leader, Supervisor or have similar experience coordinating people within a fast‑paced warehouse or logistics operation.

What you’ll be doing

As a Warehouse Section Leader, you’ll work closely with the Warehouse Shift Manager to deliver the operational plan for your area.

• Coordinate the day‑to‑day activity of Warehouse Operatives, ensuring everyone understands the priorities for the shift.
• Take ownership of your operational area and help ensure the daily plan is delivered safely, accurately and efficiently.
• Provide clear direction, communication and ongoing support to colleagues throughout the shift.
• Monitor operational and service KPIs, identifying where performance is off track and supporting action to improve.
• Support colleagues to achieve operational expectations and maintain consistently high standards.
• Help coordinate resource across the shift, responding to changing volumes and operational priorities.
• Build positive working relationships across the team and deal with day‑to‑day people matters fairly and consistently.
• Support the induction and ongoing training of new and existing colleagues.
• Undertake Return to Work conversations and support other people processes where required.
• Identify and resolve day‑to‑day operational issues, escalating more complex challenges appropriately.
• Respond to safety concerns, hazards and near misses and ensure these are dealt with or escalated quickly.
• Champion health and safety and ensure colleagues are working in a safe and compliant environment.
• Encourage colleagues to share ideas and contribute to improvements across the operation.
• Work collaboratively with other Section Leaders, Shift Managers and teams to deliver a strong overall shift.

This is a role where you’ll be out in the operation, working closely with your team and helping make things happen.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who brings previous experience of leading, supervising or coordinating people within a warehouse, distribution or similarly fast‑paced operational environment.

You’ll be approachable and able to build good relationships, while having the confidence to provide direction, maintain standards and handle the different situations that naturally come with leading a busy operational team.

You’ll ideally have

• Experience working within a fast‑paced warehouse, distribution or logistics environment.
• Previous experience leading, supervising or coordinating colleagues within an operational setting.
• The confidence to provide clear direction and set expectations on the warehouse floor.
• Strong people skills and the ability to work effectively with different personalities and situations.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage changing priorities.
• An understanding of operational KPIs and the importance of productivity, accuracy and service.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• A practical approach to problem‑solving and the confidence to take ownership when issues arise.
• A strong focus on health, safety and operational standards.
• Experience using Warehouse Management Systems would be beneficial.
• A genuine desire to continue developing your leadership career within operations.

If you’re an experienced warehouse professional looking for your next opportunity to lead people, take ownership and make an impact within a busy operation, we’d love to hear from you.

Lead the team. Own the shift. Keep things moving.

Salary: £33,882.36 per annum plus shift allowance

Hours: 20:00 – 06:00

Location: Crewe, CW1 6FB

What’s in it for you?

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 20 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
• Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first‑class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to support your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Why Gist?

When you join Gist, you're joining a business that plays a critical role within the M&S Group.

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to a fast‑paced operation, work alongside experienced leaders and play an important part in one of the UK's leading food supply chains.

For someone looking to continue developing their operational career, this role offers the opportunity to take ownership of an area, strengthen your leadership experience and develop within a large‑scale logistics operation.

Our culture is built around our values of being Progressive, Accountable, Collaborative and Ethical, creating an environment where people are trusted, supported and encouraged to grow.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Gist, we believe our differences make us stronger.

We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know. We'll work with you to ensure you have the support you need.