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.
- 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 strong performance and development culture through productivity measures, communication, induction, training, multi-skilling, 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 deliver system-led operational improvements.
- Maintain strong housekeeping to optimise capacity and operational flow.
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
- Strong experience in people leadership, people development, succession planning, engagement and building effective networks.
- Experience in a key management position within a highly automated, major distribution centre with substantial flows across multiple markets.
- Experience managing third-party contracts and working with business management across European markets and important 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 a good understanding of customer needs, including 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 looks like a strong match, a member of the recruitment team will be in touch about the next steps.