Outbound Operations Manager (7430)

Cromwell Tools Export; Oxford; On-site; NZD 153,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Enhanced pension contribution

22 days annual leave + bank holidays

Maternity & paternity pay

Healthcare Cash Plan, EAP, Cycle to-\n

Company discounts and Cromwell product

Job summary

Cromwell is seeking an Outbound Operations Manager to lead outbound operations across our distribution centre network from Leicester. The role focuses on safe, reliable and efficient customer fulfilment while supporting DC leadership and continuous improvement.

You will balance service, quality, safety and productivity, develop leaders, and use data to drive performance. The position offers a competitive package and a clear path for career progression within Cromwell.

Qualifications

• Experience leading distribution centre or warehouse operations in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Track record in delivering continuous improvement and measurable productivity gains (Lean, Six Sigma or similar).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to use data to drive performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve outbound operations across the distribution centre network, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient customer fulfilment.
• Provide clear day-to-day guidance to senior operational leaders and their teams, encouraging teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Use customer experience, service performance and operational data to identify priorities, monitor KPIs, and turn insight into action.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement and change projects, including process redesign and systems improvement.
• Ensure SOPs, risk assessments, controls and training are current and audit-ready, supporting health, safety, environmental and quality compliance.
• Manage resources and operational risks, contributing to budget planning and cost reduction while collaborating across functions.

Skills

Outbound operations leadership

Process improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Logistics or related degree

Job description

As our new Outbound Operations Manager, you'll play a key role in leading outbound operations and continuous improvement across our World Distribution Centre. Working closely with the Head of Logistics and wider Distribution Centres Management team, you'll help deliver excellent service, strong productivity and a positive colleague experience for our customers and colleagues.

Some Of Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead and improve outbound operations across the distribution centre network, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient customer fulfilment, while supporting the overall leadership of the distribution centre alongside Inbound, Inventory Control, Transport and other distribution centre leaders.
• Provide clear day-to-day guidance, challenge and support to senior operational leaders and their teams, encouraging teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Use customer experience, service performance and operational data to identify priorities, monitor key performance indicators, produce meaningful reports and turn insight into practical action.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement and change projects, including process redesign, technology and systems improvement, to increase efficiency, productivity, quality and consistency.
• Ensure standard operating procedures, risk assessments, operational controls and training are current, understood and consistently applied, supporting health, safety, environmental and quality compliance, including relevant ISO audits.
• Manage resources and operational risks responsibly, contributing to budget planning and cost reduction while building strong relationships across Transport, Inventory Control, Quality Assurance, Systems, Branch Network and Customer Experience.

What do I need to be successful in this role?

You'll be an experienced distribution centre or warehouse operations leader with a strong understanding of outbound fulfilment and the realities of running a high-volume operation. You'll be comfortable balancing service, quality, safety, productivity and people priorities, moving confidently between strategic improvement work and day-to-day operational challenges.

You Are Likely To Bring

• Proven experience leading distribution centre, warehouse or fulfilment operations in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• A track record of delivering continuous improvement and measurable productivity gains, with knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma or other structured improvement methods.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to identify issues, make decisions and improve operational performance.
• Experience leading projects, implementing change and embedding new processes, with a strong understanding of health and safety, operational risk, standard operating procedures and audit readiness.
• Experience developing leaders, engaging teams and creating a culture of accountability, with clear communication skills and the confidence to influence colleagues across functions and levels.
• Good commercial awareness, including resource planning, budget support and cost reduction. A relevant qualification in logistics, supply chain, operations, business or a related discipline would be beneficial, but substantial relevant experience will be valued equally.

What's in it for me?

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• The opportunity to make a visible impact across Cromwell's logistics network and develop your leadership career.
• Enhanced employer pension contribution.
• 22 days annual leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays. We also offer the opportunity to purchase additional annual leave should you need a little extra time.
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay to support you and your family during life's important moments.
• A company-funded Healthcare Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Cycle to Work, Company Sick Pay, employee discounts and discounted Cromwell products.

Who are Cromwell?

No matter where you are in your career – or where you want to be – we're here to create a great place to work where you can grow, perform and love what you do. At Cromwell, we're all individuals with unique backgrounds and personalities, but we have one thing in common: delivering exceptional service for our customers. And we do this through our purpose of Keeping Industry Working.

About Cromwell

Cromwell has been around for over 50 years, supplying an unrivalled choice of cutting tools, power tools, hand tools and safety equipment into all industries, professions and trades. We offer next day delivery or collection from our nationwide branch network, supported by an overnight UK logistics operation. Our team of over 1500 people are proud to be keeping industry working.

We're all individuals, yet we're very much one united team. We treat everyone fairly – regardless of gender, sexual orientation, background, age or disability – and give everyone opportunities for new and varied experiences. Inclusion means not just accepting people for who they are, but showing respect and making adjustments to help people and remove all barriers; it's about creating a culture where everyone is respected, empowered and able to realise their full potential.

Cromwell is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are also committed to offering applicants from the armed forces community (current and past) an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

We always prefer to recruit candidates direct to our business and first, and foremost believe in promoting talent from within whenever possible.

We do not accept speculative approaches including CVs and candidate profiles sent direct to Managers, by receipt of any such email or correspondence, we do not agree to terms and conditions. Any speculative CVs will be considered our own and we will not pay any agency fees.

Location

Leicester (Head Office)

65 Chartwell Drive, Wigston, Leics, UK, LE18 2FS

Working Hours per week

40.25

Contract Type

Permanent - Full Time