Role: Operations Support Manager

Purpose of role: To lead a broad team of specialist functions including Planning, Training, Inventory and Inbound, to support the efficiency and effectiveness of a significant national distribution centre operation servicing over 190 stores across the UK. This role also requires focus on understanding, compiling and delivery of a continuous improvement agenda that will influence operational efficiency and performance to best in class standards.

Reports to: Operations Manager
Location: UK Based, Islip Depot Northamptonshire

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and continually improve the safety culture within a significantly sized warehouse operation.
• Supporting the Operations Manager in delivering an efficient operation that achieves the expectations of the business
• To make sure that the depot is utilising the WMS and GOH systems to best effect and propose future developments.
• Use the WMS and reporting tools available to assess and report performance of the depot operation as part of a Plan, Do, Review approach. Working with the Operations Manager and Shift Managers on site to agree immediate actions to reverse any downward performance trends, but also to recognise any positive performances and ensure best practices are shared across all shifts
• Leading continuous improvement strategy on site, in order to influence consistent delivery of Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) across all functions and activities. This will be achieved by facilitating continuous improvement sessions, taking responsibility for compiling and following up on actions agreed with attendees and stakeholders within the site / business, and visualised through a CI project plan
• Direct responsibility for the Planning function, working closely with the Operations Manager and external stakeholders to ensure that adequate foresight of short, medium and long term volumes are considered and included within operational plans for the site.
• liaise with depot management teams, ensuring that operational training complies with Health & Safety legislation and is kept up to date with process changes.
• Coordinate and deliver recruitment, training and ongoing development of the warehouse team
• Direct responsibility for the Inbound and Inventory functions, working closely with the Inbound and Inventory to ensure that all key Inbound and Inventory key metrics are achieved, with action plan(s) created and owned through to completion where failings occur
• Consistently influence delivery of world class service and accuracy to our stores
• Support the creation and delivery of an innovation plan that ensures the distribution centre is fit for the future through the delivery of new technology
• To maintain and continually improve the engagement of your immediate team and also of colleague workforce
• Attract, retain and develop the best talent in the industry, to support the delivery of key objectives across the Planning, Training, Inventory and Inbound department
• Financial management and budgetary control

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• A proven track record of delivering significant change in a distribution centre environment
• Excellent engagement skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships at all management levels
• Experience of Inventory Management and the ability to demonstrate understanding of key inventory metrics and strategies
• Experience of Planning within a fast-moving warehouse environment
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to look ahead and identify risks and opportunities
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to initiate relevant projects and analysis
• Strong team player who is confident and personable
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks effectively
• Insightful, accurate and timely management reporting
• Strong leadership skills with an ability to drive accountability and performance across the team
• Develop and deliver the strategic plan for the support functions
• Budget management
• Objective setting
• Project Management
• People Management, Workload planning
• Problem Solving
• Goods on Hanger/Fashion experience would be advantageous
• Experience of Continuous Improvement methodology would be an advantage.
• Proven ability in managing large scale depot operations, with headcount in excess of 500+