Posted on April 25th, 2025
Shift Manager - Fresh Produce Warehouse (Night Shift: 7pm-3am or 9pm-5am)
? Location: Gadbrook, Cheshire
? Shift Pattern: Nights - either 7pm-3am or 9pm-5am
? Salary: Competitive + Night Shift Premium + Excellent Benefits
We're partnering with a leading retail logistics business to recruit an experienced Shift Manager for their high-volume warehouse operation in Gadbrook.
This is a critical leadership role overseeing a night shift team of 150-300 colleagues across a fast-paced fresh produce environment. The ideal candidate will have strong operational leadership experience, exceptional people management skills, and a clear understanding of working within a unionised environment.
? The Role
Reporting directly to the site's senior leadership team, you'll be responsible for managing the entire warehouse operation during your shift-ensuring that productivity, safety, quality, and service targets are consistently met. You'll lead from the front, resolving issues in real time, coaching your management team, and driving a performance-led culture overnight.
This is a high-visibility role where your decisions and leadership will directly impact site success.
? Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the full night shift operation, managing between 150-300 warehouse operatives and team leaders on site.
- Deliver against all shift KPIs including throughput, cost, safety, labour efficiency, absence, and service levels.
- Act as the most senior leader on site overnight-escalating issues where necessary and ensuring handovers are smooth and effective.
- Maintain operational control over both fresh and ambient produce areas, with a focus on chilled goods, shelf life, and handling standards.
- Drive a strong culture of health & safety, compliance, and food safety across the team.
- Manage performance, resolve on-the-spot issues, and develop team leaders through coaching and mentoring.
- Foster positive working relationships in a unionised environment, ensuring fairness, consistency, and clear communication.
- Continuously identify and implement improvements to increase operational efficiency and reduce waste.
- Ensure all reporting and data capture (labour, waste, downtime, OEE) is completed accurately and in a timely manner.
? About You
To be successful in this role, you'll need to bring solid experience in leading large-scale warehouse operations, ideally in the food or fresh produce sector. We're looking for:
- Proven experience as a Shift Manager, Warehouse Operations Manager, or similar leadership role in a fast-moving, fresh produce or food warehousing environment.
- A strong track record of managing large teams (150-300 staff) in a shift-based operation.
- Clear understanding of working within a unionised workforce, with experience managing in that environment considered a strong advantage.
- A hands-on leadership style, confident decision-making, and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
- Excellent communication, people management, and organisational skills.
- An understanding of cost management, performance tracking (KPIs, OEE), and warehouse systems.
- Flexibility to work permanent night shifts (either 7pm-3am or 9pm-5am).
? What's in It for You
- Competitive salary + night shift premium
- 6 weeks' holiday (including bank holidays)
- 15% discount in-store from your first day, plus an additional 10% discount for a nominated friend or family member
- Clear career progression opportunities within a large and well-established organisation
- Healthcare and well-being benefits including Digital GP access
- Free on-site parking and subsidised canteen
- Market-leading pension scheme and life assurance
- Discounts and perks through a company-wide benefits platform - including cinema, gym, and retail savings
- Enhanced family leave and long service awards
- Optional payroll charity donations
If you're a natural leader with experience managing large warehouse teams in a fresh produce environment-and you're ready to take on a high-impact role on the night shift-we'd love to hear from you.
