Warehouse Team Lead

Oak Furniture; Swindon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture retailer in the UK is looking for a Warehouse Lead to oversee operations and support a team of operators. This full-time position involves achieving KPIs, ensuring safe product handling, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in a busy warehouse environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong supervisory skills, a valid FLT counterbalance licence, and a background in retail. The role offers benefits including employee discounts, a generous holiday allowance, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Exclusive employee discounts

Generous holiday allowance

Birthday leave

My Rewards Programme

Competitive pension scheme

Comprehensive life assurance

Professional development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Valid FLT counterbalance licence is mandatory.
• Driving licence suitable for shunting up to 3.5 tonnes is required.
• Proficient IT skills, especially with warehouse management systems.
• Experience in planning and organizing workloads to meet targets and deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety regulations required.
• Experience in retails and home delivery is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Supervise team to achieve company KPIs and foster depot culture.
• Ensure vehicles are loaded accurately and report errors.
• Conduct inventory controls for consumables and products.
• Support the team members and promote continuous improvement.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Health & Safety knowledge

IT skills

Planning and organizing

Education

FLT Counterbalance licence

Driving licence for shunting

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems

Job description

The Warehouse Lead plays a critical role in overseeing and guiding a team within the Warehouse function. By effectively managing a group of operators, the Warehouse Lead ensures seamless and efficient warehouse operations that align with and support the management team's business objectives.

This role involves meticulously coordinating workloads, providing strategic support to the team to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) and upholding stringent quality standards. Additionally, the Warehouse Lead is dedicated to nurturing and developing individual team members' performance to maintain consistently high standards while fostering a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement within the warehouse environment.

About The Role

Core Responsibilities

• Achieve company KPIs and absence management targets while fostering a positive and proactive depot culture.
• Ensure vehicles are loaded with precision and care using appropriate handling equipment, straps, and blankets, and promptly report any errors or damages to guarantee on‑time, in‑full delivery.
• Supervise the safe handling, storage, and repacking of products and returns to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction, both internally and externally.
• Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures in line with company policies.
• Manage inbound and outbound vehicles in accordance with company procedures.
• Conduct inventory controls for consumables and products.
• Utilise internal systems, including ACORN, WMS, and ePod equipment, and provide relevant reports to stakeholders.
• Support the debriefing process for Delivery Teams on both AM and PM shifts, ensuring all paperwork is completed and returns are processed accurately.
• Assist in managing and developing the team while promoting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Shift Manager to investigate and report all warehouse‑related incidents promptly.
• Maintain FLT warehouse equipment and transport vehicles in compliance with legal and company standards.
• Conduct inductions for all agency workers.
• Issue and maintain personal protective equipment for the team and visitors in operational areas.
• Uphold high housekeeping standards in the depot and implement effective waste control measures, leading by example to maintain Health & Safety standards.
• Implement waste management controls within the warehouse.
• Support fellow Warehouse Leads with daily tasks and provide assistance to team members as required.
• Perform additional tasks as needed to meet the business's operational requirements.

Demonstrated supervisory or team leader capabilities with the ability to motivate, develop, and oversee team members effectively.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid FLT counterbalance licence.
• A driving licence suitable for shunting up to 3.5 tonnes.
• Proficient IT skills, especially with warehouse management systems.
• Experience in planning and organising workloads to meet targets and deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and compliance within warehouse and transport environments.
• Previous experience in a fast‑paced retail furniture environment; experience with two‑person home delivery is particularly advantageous.

Oak Furnitureland launched in 2006. Our brand was built on ensuring our customers could access high‑quality hardwood furniture at affordable prices, and we were predominantly known for our range of well‑crafted cabinetry. Fast‑forward to today, and you'll discover our commitment to using quality materials and creating furniture built to last hasn't changed. We still offer great value for money, too, but what you'll discover now is an evolution that's seen us expand our categories and styles of furniture so that we can offer something for every home.

Not only do we offer fantastic pieces of furniture for the home, but we are also a great place to work. It is one where colleagues are valued, feel connected to the business, and are provided with an environment where they can flourish, contribute, and develop their careers.

To support us, we are guided by our company's purpose of 'helping people make their house a real home', which is underpinned by our values:

• We are adaptable
• We are experts
• We are authentic
• We are one team
• We put our customers first.

Equal Opportunities Employer

Our mission is to build an open and inclusive work environment where all colleagues have equal opportunity and access to development, progression and growth. We strive to recruit and retain diverse talent representative of our customer demographic. We have an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves and are driven by the same purpose and values. As we endeavour to create a workplace that reflects our diverse customer base and the communities in which we live and work, we strongly encourage applications from individuals belonging to minority and underrepresented groups. We are committed to fairness in the way we hire new colleagues, and if you require any additional support to help you through the process, we're happy to make the necessary adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Please know that any offer is subject to references and a DBS check.

This is a full‑time role working 40 hours per week, 5 out of 7 days, working rotating shifts of 6 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 10 am.

Benefits

• Exclusive Employee Discounts: Enjoy unbeatable savings on all Oak Furnitureland products after completing your probation period.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Benefit from 20 days of holiday each year (excluding Bank Holidays), giving you ample time to relax and recharge.
• Celebrate Your Special Day: Take an extra day off to celebrate your birthday or another special occasion important to you.
• My Rewards Programme: Unlock incredible savings and enjoy exclusive discounts on essentials and luxuries, from dining out and grocery shopping to entertainment, holidays, and gym memberships.
• Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with a 4% employee contribution, matched by the company.
• Comprehensive Life Assurance: Receive free coverage worth at least twice your annual salary, ensuring peace of mind up to age 65.
• Continued Development: Enhance your skills and support your future career advancement with ongoing training and growth opportunities within the company.
• Supportive Employee Assistance Programme: Access professional counselling services via phone or in person whenever needed.
• Convenient Free On‑site Parking: Enjoy the convenience and ease of free parking at our location.