The Warehouse Operations Manager - Ashford, will be responsible for the smooth running of the warehousing services and required to deliver excellent customer service to each account.  You will be the interface with the BU Operations Managers/Depot managers in the smooth planning and management of a team of multi skilled warehouse operatives and technicians.

The role operates across dual warehouse locations that are situated within close proximity.

The Warehouse Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring all customer’s goods are stored accurately and maintained correctly using the Rhenus and or Customer specific software. The Warehouse Operations Manager must be able to maintain composure under pressure, whilst ensuring all activities are completed in an organised manner and to specific timescales.

The Warehouse Operations Manager must also be able to confidently and competently deliver a degree of customer facing activities, encouraging and mentoring team members to adopt these professional practices, leading by example at all times.

The Warehouse Operations Manager should be able to identify commercial and strategic opportunities whilst maintaining a daily focus; have input to and the management of the P&L will also be a key part of this role, covering cost savings/operational improvements.

The Warehouse Operations Manager must be willing to develop competencies and support wider operational tasks as needed. This role reports directly to the Head of Depot Operations Manager.

Main Operational Activities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the warehouse, making the most efficient use of resources available, both staff and space
• Organise the warehouse areas, making the best and most efficient use of space, taking into account customer, company and product requirements
• Ensure that all procedures are followed and detailed records are kept, for Goods In, Goods Out, Quarantine and all other processes
• Ensure that all warehouse activities are closely managed and any issues immediately dealt with and escalated
• Liaise with the Finance team to ensure that the customer is invoiced for all chargeable warehouse activities on a monthly basis
• Organise all activities & assign jobs accordingly to appropriate personnel
• Manage and oversee all stock control transactions

Ensure that weekly cyclical counts and monthly, quarterly and annual stock checks are undertaken and are accurate using both company and customer specific digital tools and software platforms

• Work with auditors to check stock and verify locations during annual inventory (PI)
• Investigate and report on any warehouse issues for damaged or missing stock
• Implement any corrective actions that come from investigations of issues
• Ensure that workplace’s health and safety requirements are met and undertake quarterly audits, weekly inspections and safety tour
• Take responsibility for the security of the building
• Maintain housekeeping of warehouse and car park and yard
• Monitor and achieve relevant KPI targets
• Look for and implement cost reduction measures where possible in all aspects of warehouse activities whilst liaising with the Depot Manager
• Carry out Health & Safety checks in the warehouse when required
• Where applicable, escalate issues with suggested resolutions to the Ops/BU Managers
• Ensure third party suppliers have completed site inductions and permit to work
• Fulfil any additional warehouse operation requirements as necessary
• Ensure the Tackle process in and out is followed
• Manage and support the loading of vehicles in line with operational and safety standards
• Waste management – ensuring waste bin collections are planned to maximize the bin capacity
• Maintain the standards of the company as defined in ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO 45001 Provider agrees to quality assurance audits of its quality systems
• Work closely with the Healthcare Warehouse Manager to ensure the smooth running of the operation
• Oversee the management of all tackle, including scheduled inspections and statutory LOLER testing
• Assist the Head of Depot Operations in the management of facilities, including the maintenance of buildings, equipment, and site infrastructure

Main Staff Activities:

• Encourage constant motivation among staff to strive for an efficient and effective warehouse environment

• Manage the staff and department to ensure excellent customer service is provided to the customer, meeting and excelling all quality targets
• Approve holiday requests, ensuring sufficient coverage
• Use internal software tools for reporting both operations and personnel reporting
• Carry out staff performance reviews, setting objectives and recommending training
• Carry out ‘Return to Work’ interviews with team members
• Conduct interviews and disciplinary meetings following guidelines set out in the Rhenus staff handbook
• Conduct Accident & Incident investigations following guidelines set out in the Rhenus staff handbook
• Plan and organise staff training both internal and external in order to develop staff skills
• Manage recruitment of warehouse staff
• Manage new employees’ inductions
• First Aider
• Fire warden

Key skills and Experience:

• Good People Management skills including; leadership, motivation, interviewing, team building, etc.
• Good interpersonal skills and customer management relationship skills
• HR process knowledge and implementation
• Good level of education
• Good general IT skills with Excel capabilities at a minimum of intermediary level
• Experience of Oracle is preferable
• Good team member who can also work on own initiative
• Very presentable appearance with polite and enthusiastic manner
• A flexible and can-do attitude – with an ability to think outside the box
• An attitude and motivation to strive for continuous improvement and high standards
• Three to five years of experience as a Warehouse supervisor in a high value , medical environment
• Commercially astute with direct customer service experience
• Knowledge of Health & Safety Legislation
• Hold a full UK driving licence
• Managing warehouse, admin, stock control including perpetual stock checks and reporting
• Forklift licence or previous experience