Warehouse Team Leader

Kuehne + Nagel; Derby; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent logistics company is seeking a Warehouse Team Leader for its distribution site at East Midlands Gateway. The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, lead a team of warehouse operatives, and ensure efficiency and safety while optimizing processes. This full-time position offers a supportive environment focused on career development and personal well-being, with ample rewards for dedication and expertise.

Benefits

Contributory pension plan

Route 2 Rewards scheme

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Previous experience in a leadership or team manager position.
• Ability to motivate and guide team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily warehouse operations and supervise a team of warehouse operatives.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety standards, and legal regulations.
• Communicate effectively and support team development.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Communication

Customer Service

Problem Solving

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

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We have a fantastic opportunity for a Warehouse Team Leader to join our team at one of our key distribution sites based at East Midlands Gateway. If you thrive in a fast-moving environment and take pride in going the extra mile for customers, we want you on our team. Your attention to detail and proactive approach will help us deliver excellence, every single day.

As a Warehouse Team Leader, you will play a critical first-line management role, responsible for overseeing a team of warehouse operatives to ensure the safe, accurate, and efficient handling of customer freight. This includes supervising the loading and unloading of goods. As part of the site’s leadership team, the Team Leader is expected to communicate effectively with team members to ensure clarity around daily priorities, process updates, productivity, safety, and quality concerns. The role also supports the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives, fosters a positive team culture, and contributes to the overall performance and service excellence of the warehouse operation.

This is a full-time permanent role working Monday – Friday from 08:00 – 16:30, and a great opportunity to grow with a company that’s passionate about developing talent, providing hands-on training, and truly invested in your long-term success.

How you create impact

1. Operational Oversight: Lead daily warehouse operations, ensuring freight is loaded, unloaded, and processed efficiently and accurately in line with standard operating procedures and customer expectations.
2. Team Leadership & Development: Supervise and support warehouse operatives, providing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities. Conduct regular performance reviews and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
3. Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all activities comply with internal policies, legal regulations, and industry standards, particularly regarding Dangerous Goods handling, manual handling, and equipment use.
4. Facility & Equipment Management: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment. Monitor equipment condition and coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure operational readiness.
5. Health, Safety & Environmental Standards (QSHE): Champion a safety-first culture by enforcing safe working practices, conducting toolbox talks, and ensuring timely reporting and investigation of incidents and near misses.
6. Performance Monitoring & KPI Achievement: Track team performance against key metrics such as productivity, accuracy, and service levels. Use data to identify trends, address issues, and drive continuous improvement.
7. Effective Communication: Deliver daily briefings to communicate priorities, updates, and safety messages. Ensure clear and timely information flow between teams, departments, and management.
8. Talent Identification & Succession Planning: Recognize high-potential team members and support their development. Act as a role model and provide leadership coverage in the absence of the Warehouse Shift Manager.
9. Customer & Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with internal departments, overseas customer sites, and customer service teams to coordinate workloads, resolve queries, and ensure service excellence.
10. Order Fulfilment & Inventory Accuracy: Oversee the picking and collation of cruise orders, ensuring accurate assembly of sandwich pallets. Support inventory control through cycle counts and discrepancy resolution.
11. Process Improvement & Lean Practices: Identify inefficiencies and contribute to process improvement initiatives using lean principles. Encourage team involvement in problem-solving and innovation.

What we would like you to bring

• Previous experience working in a fast-paced warehouse environment
• Previous experience in a leadership or team manager position is advantageous, as you must have the ability to motivate and guide team members to hit performance goals and maintain high standards
• Manage tasks, resources, and priorities efficiently to meet operational targets and deadlines
• Understand how to effectively use Warehouse Management Systems
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Customer service experience and a willingness to go the extra mile for customers
• Ability to adapt to change and work in a fast-paced environment
• Embraces technology and wants to learn about new products, systems, and processes
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills

What's in it for you

If you would like to become a valued member of our team, we will ensure you’re rewarded for your commitment and expertise. You can join the contributory pension plan and enjoy our Route 2 Rewards scheme, which offers discounts, benefits, recognition, and a wellbeing centre. We care for our colleagues (and their immediate families) with our employee assistance programme providing access to 24/7 GP, legal, and financial advice, along with mental health counselling. All of this aims to help you live a happier and healthier life. As proud holders of the Gold Covenant, we are a forces-friendly employer who recognizes the skills, expertise, and value service leavers bring to our organization.