Warehouse Section Manager

Waitrose; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retail partnership seeks a Section Manager for its Milton Keynes National Distribution Centre. The role involves leading a team to ensure efficient supply chain operations. Key responsibilities include developing team members, managing stakeholder relations, and implementing continuous improvements. The ideal candidate will have experience in logistics, change management, and be familiar with relevant IT systems. Join a progressive team dedicated to excellence and employee ownership.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a logistics or supply chain environment.
• Ability to manage stakeholder relationships.
• Experience managing change within a logistics context.
• Familiarity with IT systems such as Microsoft Excel and warehouse management systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage team development and ensure they have necessary resources.
• Align resources with demand and maintain smooth operations.
• Identify and implement improvement opportunities.
• Liaise with other departments to meet site KPIs.
• Develop communication among key stakeholders.
• Build relationships with Partners for operational success.

Skills

Experience in logistics/supply chain

Stakeholder relationship management

Change management

IT systems knowledge (MS Excel, etc.)

Job description

About the role

As a Section Manager in one of our National Distribution Centres (NDCs), you’ll have an important role of leading and motivating your team of Partners and ensuring the smooth running of the supply chain operation within your area of the site. You’ll ensure the right stock in the right place at the right time for our shops and, ultimately, our customers, helping to drive sales and profitability for the Partnership.

At a glance

Role Title: Section Manager, National Distribution Centre

Position: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full Time, 37.5 hours a week, 5 days out of 7 with rotational weekends. Working alternative shift patterns of 06:00 to 14:00 and 14:00 to 22:00. 1 in 3 weekend working required.

Location: Magna Park, Milton Keynes

Key Responsibilities

• Managing your team’s development, ensuring they have the tools and time they need to thrive.
• Aligning Partner resources with the expected demand, maintaining a smooth operation.
• Identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing them with your team.
• Liaising with other departments and Partners to deliver site KPIs.
• Developing and maintaining communication between key stakeholders to ensure communication across teams remains effective.
• Building solid relationships with Partners and empowering them to take ownership of their operational success and personal development.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Previous experience of working within a logistics/supply chain environment.
• Managing stakeholder relationships.
• Management of a change agenda in a logistics environment.
• Working knowledge of IT systems (MS Excel, MS Word, Warehouse Management Systems, DLx, email).

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Flexibility to cover other parts of the operation as required.

The partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never knowingly undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can thrive. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.