Distribution Section Leader & CI

WTalent is currently recruiting for an experienced Section Leader to join a busy Distribution operation.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys developing people, improving processes and taking ownership of operational performance. You'll lead a team day-to-day while identifying opportunities to make the operation safer, more efficient and more productive.

The role would suit someone who combines strong people-management skills with a practical, data-driven approach to Continuous Improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of warehouse colleagues.
• Take ownership of daily operational performance and ensure agreed targets are achieved.
• Monitor key measures including UPH, productivity, accuracy and labour efficiency.
• Analyse operational data to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Allocate people and resources according to workload, staffing levels and service requirements.
• Lead regular team briefings and performance reviews.
• Identify and reduce operational waste, including downtime, unnecessary movement, waiting and rework.
• Investigate issues using structured root-cause analysis and implement effective solutions.
• Lead improvement activity within your area and ensure new processes are embedded.
• Work collaboratively with other operational teams to improve overall performance.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety, compliance and safe working practices.
• Support operational reporting and communicate performance and improvement activity effectively.

Continuous Improvement

A key part of this role will be finding better and smarter ways of working.

You will be encouraged to challenge existing processes, use data and observations to identify opportunities, and turn ideas into practical improvements.

This may include:

• Applying Lean and Continuous Improvement principles.
• Using tools such as 5 Whys, DILO, standardisation and visual management.
• Identifying and eliminating operational waste.
• Reviewing workflows to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Leading improvement projects within your area.
• Supporting wider operational improvement initiatives.
• Ensuring improvements are sustainable and become embedded within the operation.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Strong people leadership and coaching skills.
• Experience managing teams against operational KPIs.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• The ability to analyse data and turn insight into action.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Confidence to challenge existing processes constructively.
• A resilient, adaptable and positive approach.
• Good knowledge of Excel and operational reporting systems.
• Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Operational improvement or project work
• WMS or SAP
• KPI and productivity management
• UPH, labour efficiency or cost-per-unit measures
• Health, Safety & Environment
• Delivering measurable improvements in productivity, engagement or operational performance

What We Offer

• Permanent position
• Rotating shifts, typically Monday to Friday 6-14/14-22
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Annual care day and volunteer days
• Additional lifestyle and wellbeing benefits
• Opportunities for leadership development and career progression
• Support from WTalent throughout the recruitment process

Ready for Your Next Step?

If you're an operational leader who enjoys developing people, improving performance and making a real difference, WTalent wants to hear from you.