Operations Manager – Distribution (Night Shift, Multi-Site)
10pm - 6am, Monday - Friday
Didcot
£60-70k + Bonus + Package
With increasing operational throughput across multiple distribution sites, this role plays a critical part in enabling business growth and maintaining a leading market position. The focus is on optimising outbound flow, leveraging service innovations, and supporting the evolving needs of clients and customers.
Operating within a 24/5 environment, this position acts as the business lead for site operations during night shifts. You will be responsible for delivering operational excellence, leading teams, and ensuring seamless distribution centre performance.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide leadership across all operational areas of the distribution centre, ensuring efficient outbound order fulfilment and dispatch.
* Take full site accountability during night operations, overseeing workflow, performance, and team coordination.
* Manage end-to-end distribution processes, including trailer loading, dispatch operations, and volume flow.
* Ensure compliance with health & safety, fire protocols, and security standards.
* Establish and maintain robust processes, procedures, and systems to support continuous operational flow.
* Collaborate closely with IT and warehouse systems teams to maintain system integrity and manage operational continuity during outages.
* Oversee system-driven activities such as order release, billing processes, and stock integrity.
* Plan, forecast, and analyse operational performance, identifying trends and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
* Lead training and development across operational teams, ensuring best practices and up-to-date skillsets.
* Work collaboratively with cross-functional managers to meet operational and business objectives.
* Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
* Drive engagement, performance management, and talent development within teams.
* Contribute to strategic direction, influencing improvements in service, efficiency, and cost optimisation.
* Support multi-site operations with a flexible approach to workload and operational demands.
Skills & Experience
Essential:
* Proven experience in multi-site operations management within a fast-paced distribution or logistics environment.
* Strong leadership experience managing large, multi-functional teams.
* Demonstrated success in driving process improvements through data analysis and strategic thinking.
* Advanced knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and operational processes.
* Experience working with automated warehouse systems and technologies (e.g. voice picking).
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including client-facing experience.
* Decisive decision-making ability with strong operational judgement.
* High level of analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
Key Competencies
* Strong leadership and people development skills, with the ability to coach and empower teams.
* Excellent communication skills across all levels of the organisation.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
* Commercial awareness with the ability to identify improvement opportunities.
* Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
* Collaborative mindset with strong influencing skills.