Warehouse Operations Manager

About the role

This is a senior leadership position overseeing the primary UK airfreight gateway near Heathrow. The role combines operational excellence with compliance in a highly regulated, unionised environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all warehouse and gateway cargo activities at the Heathrow depot.
• Ensure compliance with Aviation Security, Dangerous Goods, GDP/MHRA and Health & Safety standards.
• Manage operational performance, productivity and service delivery metrics.
• Coach and develop large operational teams across multiple shifts.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programmes.
• Collaborate with customers, regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders.
• Support site compliance, training and governance requirements.

Required profile

• Proven experience managing large operational teams in freight forwarding.
• Strong knowledge of airfreight import/export and regulated environments.
• Experience working within a unionised workforce.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness, budget management and performance metric analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearances (5‑year referencing, DBS, CTC).

Required skills

• Microsoft Office

What we offer

• Salary up to £55,000 plus 10% target bonus.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Predominantly office hours with occasional out‑of‑hours support.