Contract Operations Manager – 3PL / Logistics / FMCG

Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

Permanent | Salary up to £55,000 + Benefits | Up to 20% Quarterly Bonus

 

We are working with an established and growing logistics business that is looking to appoint an experienced Contract Operations Manager to take ownership of a key customer operation in Wellingborough.

This is primarily an operational leadership role, suited to someone who enjoys being close to the day-to-day running of a warehouse environment while also having the commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills to deliver against customer expectations.

You’ll be responsible for leading the operation, developing your team, driving productivity and ensuring consistently high standards of service, safety and performance.

The Role

You’ll take overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day operation of the contract, working closely with the customer and internal teams to ensure service levels, productivity and commercial targets are achieved.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing day-to-day warehouse and 3PL operations, including goods-in, receiving, putaway, picking, outbound, VAS and container processing.
• Taking ownership of operational performance, ensuring customer service levels and contractual KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Leading, coaching and developing supervisors and warehouse teams to create a high-performing operational culture.
• Planning and managing resources effectively to meet fluctuating volumes and customer requirements.
• Monitoring productivity, labour performance, operational costs and daily P&L against agreed budgets.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, productivity, efficiency and overall service delivery.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across the operation and embedding best practice.
• Managing operational issues and resolving problems quickly and effectively.
• Building strong relationships with the customer through regular communication, performance reviews and day-to-day engagement.
• Managing subcontractors and external logistics partners, ensuring performance and service levels are maintained.
• Supporting import and export activity and ensuring relevant processes are followed correctly.
• Ensuring warehouse processes, SOPs, health & safety requirements and contractual obligations are consistently adhered to.
• Using operational data and KPIs to identify trends, address issues and drive improvements.
• Working closely with senior management to support wider operational and commercial objectives.
• Taking a proactive approach to identifying risks and implementing preventative solutions.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced operations leader who understands how to run a busy warehouse or logistics operation and get the best from both people and processes.

You’ll ideally have:

• Proven experience in a senior operations, contract management or warehouse management role within 3PL, logistics, FMCG or a similar high-volume environment.
• Strong experience managing teams within a warehouse or distribution operation.
• A track record of delivering against operational KPIs and customer service targets.
• Good commercial awareness, including experience monitoring budgets, costs and operational performance.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence dealing directly with customers.
• Experience managing subcontractors, suppliers or third-party logistics partners.
• Experience working within high-volume, high-throughput warehouse environments.
• Knowledge of warehouse systems, processes and MHE, including VNA, FLT and PPT environments.
• A good understanding of health & safety, compliance and operational risk.
• Experience of continuous improvement methodologies such as Kaizen, Lean or Six Sigma would be advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, organisation and leadership skills.
• A hands-on approach and the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.

The Person

This role would suit an operationally focused manager who enjoys taking ownership and making things happen.

You’ll be someone who is comfortable walking the warehouse floor, talking to supervisors and operators, reviewing performance and addressing issues, while also being able to step back and look at the bigger commercial and customer picture.

We’re looking for a leader who can build trust, hold people accountable and create a culture of continuous improvement. You’ll need to be confident making decisions, managing competing priorities and finding practical solutions in a fast-moving environment.

Why Join?

• Salary up to £55,000 depending on experience.
• Up to 20% bonus, paid quarterly.
• Private medical care.
• Significant responsibility for a key customer operation.
• Opportunity to drive operational improvements and make a visible impact.
• Supportive and collaborative senior management environment.
• Long-term career development opportunities within a growing logistics business.

If you’re an experienced Operations Manager, Contract Manager or Warehouse Manager looking for a role where you can take genuine ownership of a high-profile logistics operation, we’d love to hear from you.