Operations Manager - 6 Month FTC

Operations Manager - Distribution Centre (6 Month FTC)

Birmingham £50,000 - £55,000 + Benefits

A well-established national omnichannel retailer is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead its Birmingham distribution centre on a 6 month fixed term contract. This is a high-profile role with full accountability for a busy, secure site serving stores nationwide, e-commerce customers and a sizeable returns operation.

The role

Reporting to the Head of Customer Fulfilment, you will own end-to-end warehouse operations: inbound, inventory management, outbound fulfilment and reverse logistics. The site handles a multi-million unit annual throughput, and you will lead a team of around 90 colleagues through five direct reports, with a multi-million pound operating budget.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation, delivering agreed service levels across retail replenishment, e-commerce fulfilment and returns
• Plan resource and capacity to meet demand, seasonal peaks and business growth
• Deliver the operating budget and drive cost reduction and productivity improvement programmes
• Maintain inventory accuracy, stock integrity and security throughout the operation
• Coach and develop the operational leadership team, building an engaged, accountable, high-performing culture
• Manage absence, performance, talent and succession planning fairly and consistently
• Champion a safety-first culture, leading audits, incident investigations and root-cause analysis
• Use operational data to challenge the status quo and improve KPIs

About you

• Significant leadership experience in a large-scale retail distribution, fulfilment or warehouse operation
• Proven ability to lead large teams through multiple layers of management
• Strong grasp of warehouse operations, inventory management and fulfilment processes
• A track record of delivering service, productivity and cost improvements
• Analytical and commercially aware, with experience managing operational budgets
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Comprehensive understanding of Health & Safety legislation and operational compliance

Experience in omnichannel retail, FMCG or e-commerce, automated warehouse environments or WMS implementation would be an advantage, as would Lean Six Sigma, IOSH/NEBOSH or ILM Level 5 qualifications.

What's on offer

• £50,000 - £55,000 + benefits
• 6 month fixed term contract
• Based in Birmingham

If you are an experienced distribution centre leader available for a 6 month contract, apply now with your CV.