At the European Central Distribution Centre in Trafford Park, you will drive performance that helps move adidas products across Europe through wholesale and retail channels. This is a senior operations role with ownership for service, productivity, people development, safety and continuous improvement across a highly automated distribution environment.
You will lead colleagues in a multi-functional warehouse operation spanning inbound, picking and packing, value-added services, outbound, returns, samples and Gift of Kit. Working across Trafford Distribution Centre, Hazel Grove and third-party locations where required, you will bring together people, systems, suppliers and LEAN ways of working to deliver against customer expectations and strengthen operational performance.
What you will do
- Lead and manage warehouse teams across LEAN, Inbound, Picking and Packing, VAS application, Outbound, Returns, Samples and Gift of Kit activities, including teams operating across TDC, Hazel Grove and variable third-party locations.
- Embed LEAN philosophies at every level of the operation.
- Optimise Labour Management reporting to improve productivity and efficiency, identify waste and create an environment of continuous improvement.
- Own operational labour planning and performance, including the on-site third-party labour force.
- Adjust shift patterns and temporary staffing to balance customer service, productivity and cost targets.
- Work with Operations Support and DC leaders to understand forecast volumes, organise teams, optimise the wave plan and deliver customer orders on time.
- Own core DC supplier contracts, including packaging, temporary labour and service agreements.
- Develop business cases and implement methods, projects and procedures that improve compliance, operating cost, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Build a performance and development culture through productivity measures, communication, induction, training, multi-skilling, secondments, role rotations, succession planning and development plans.
- Ensure robust health and safety controls and suitable training are in place.
- Use SAP, warehouse management systems and warehouse control systems to influence IT teams and deliver system-led operational improvements.
- Maintain strong housekeeping and support a consistent customer experience across the Western Europe distribution-centre network.
Key relationships
- Trafford Distribution Centre management and teams.
- adidas Golf management and other non-Group brands serviced from the TDC.
- Internal partners across Operations, IT and Sales.
- Management contacts at key customers.
- Best-practice contacts across the adidas distribution-centre network and Western Europe Management Team.
What you will bring
- A strong track record in people leadership, development, succession planning, engagement and building effective networks.
- Experience in a key management position within a highly automated, major distribution centre serving multiple markets.
- Experience managing third-party contracts and working with European business management and customer relationships.
- 5+ years of relevant management experience, including leadership of a large team.
- 5+ years of related role or industry experience.
- Project management skills and an understanding of customer needs across retail stores and e-commerce.
- Understanding of interfaces between business systems and warehouse management systems.
Desirable experience
- Understanding of Manhattan Warehouse Management System (WMS).
- Understanding of SAP.
- Understanding of warehouse control systems (WCS).
- A relevant logistics qualification, or working towards one.
The adidas experience
For this role, the package includes:
- Opportunity to earn an annual bonus.
- On-site gym.
- Private medical insurance.
- Health cash plan.
- adidas employee discount.
What happens after you apply?
Once you've submitted your application, a Recruitment Partner will review it against the requirements of the role. If your experience is a strong match, a member of the recruitment team will be in touch about next steps.
At adidas, employees are encouraged to demonstrate courage, ownership, innovation, teamplay, integrity and respect. The company also emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion as part of its culture and talent processes.