Warehouse Section Leader

Gist Limited; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% M&S discount

Pension scheme

Life assurance (up to 4x salary)

Wellbeing support

Training & development

Cycle to work

Job summary

Gist Limited is hiring a Warehouse Section Leader in Thornbury, Bristol. You will report to the Warehouse Shift Manager and coordinate shift activity, resource planning and safety on the floor to ensure a smooth operation.

You will monitor KPIs, produce reports, assist with people-related activities, and guide colleagues to meet standards. A strong focus on safety and collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in warehouse, logistics or fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to manage changing priorities.
• Strong Excel/Office reporting skills.
• Experience using SAP or similar Warehouse Management System.
• Understanding of KPIs and performance measures.
• Strong communication and direction to colleagues.
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to support employee relations activity when required.
• Collaborative approach and ability to build relationships.
• Strong focus on safety and operational standards.
• Flexibility to respond to changing operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support daily resource planning to ensure right people are in the right areas.
• Coordinate warehouse and outbound activity to move products safely and on time.
• Monitor KPIs and support actions to improve performance.
• Produce and maintain operational reports using systems and MS Office.
• Support sickness, holidays and colleague availability management.
• Assist with people-related activity including return-to-work conversations.
• Provide clear communication and direction across the operation.
• Support induction and development of new starters and training.
• Identify issues or risks and work with the team to resolve.
• Champion health and safety and ensure a safe working environment.
• Support wider warehouse activity as priorities change.
• Work with other site areas to maintain effective handovers.

Skills

Warehouse operations

Operational leadership

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Safety focus

Employee relations support

Adaptability

Tools

SAP

Warehouse Management System

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.

Due to an internal promotion, an exciting opportunity has become available for a Warehouse Section Leader to join our team in Thornbury, Bristol. Working closely with the Warehouse Shift Manager, you'll play a key role in supporting the day to day running of the operation and helping drive operational success across the shift.

This is a hands‑on operational role where you'll help coordinate warehouse activity, support resource planning, monitor performance, and ensure the team has the tools and support needed to deliver safely and efficiently throughout the day.

While this position does not have direct line management responsibility, you will be an important presence on shift, supporting colleagues, assisting with attendance and people‑related processes, helping resolve operational challenges, and providing clear direction to ensure the smooth running of the operation.

What you'll be doing

Reporting into the Warehouse Shift Manager, you’ll support the smooth running of the warehouse operation across your shift. Within this role you will:

• Support daily resource planning to ensure the right people are in the right areas to meet operational demand
• Coordinate warehouse and outbound activity, helping ensure products move through the operation safely, accurately and on time
• Monitor operational and picking KPIs, highlighting issues and supporting actions to improve performance
• Produce and maintain operational reports using systems and Microsoft Office packages
• Support the management of sickness, holidays and colleague availability across the shift
• Assist the Warehouse Shift Manager with people‑related activity, including return‑to‑work conversations and other employee relations processes where required
• Provide clear communication and direction to colleagues across the operation, helping teams understand priorities and expected standards
• Support the induction and development of new starters and help ensure operational training requirements are completed
• Identify operational issues or risks and work with the wider team to resolve them quickly and effectively
• Champion health and safety, ensuring colleagues are working in a safe and compliant environment
• Support wider warehouse activity and additional operational requirements as priorities change throughout the shift
• Work closely with other areas of the site to maintain strong communication and effective handovers

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being at the heart of an operation, understands how a warehouse works and wants to build their experience in operational leadership.

What we're looking for

We’re looking for someone with proven experience working within a warehouse, logistics or fast‑paced operational environment who is confident coordinating activity and supporting others.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Previous warehouse, logistics or operational experience, ideally within FMCG or another high‑volume environment
• A good understanding of warehouse operations and the ability to manage changing priorities
• Confidence using Microsoft Office packages, particularly when working with reports and operational information
• Experience using a Warehouse Management System, SAP or similar operational system
• An understanding of operational KPIs and performance measures, or a willingness and ability to learn
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to provide clear direction to colleagues
• Good organisational and problem‑solving skills
• The confidence to support employee relations activity, including attendance, return‑to‑work conversations or other people processes when required
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and managers
• A strong focus on safety, accuracy and operational standards
• The flexibility to respond to changing operational requirements throughout the shift

Salary:Up to £34,800 per annum (DOE)

Working pattern: Any 4 Days from 7

Hours: 40 hours per week | Start 06:00 or 08:00 to 16:00 to 18:00

Location:Gist Limited, Short Way, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 3UT

What’s in it for you?

As well as a competitive salary, you'll benefit from:

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 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 help with 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 colleagues and play an important part in one of the UK's leading food supply chains.

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.

Whether you're coordinating a warehouse operation, supporting your team or helping improve the way we work, your contribution makes a real difference.

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.