Operations Manager

Job description

At Lineage, helping to feed the world is more than a job – it’s a purpose we live every day. Lineage is the world’s largest and most innovative provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions, with over 20,000 colleagues globally. If you open your fridge freezer, up to 20% of the products you’ll see have passed through a Lineage facility. We support customers who supply schools, restaurants, and many of the UK’s leading retailers by ensuring a consistent and safe food supply. Our Heywood facility is one of Lineage's flagship automated cold storage operations in the UK, combining cutting-edge warehousing technology with 24/7 logistics capabilities to keep the nation's food supply chain moving. We are currently seeking an Operations Manager to lead this innovative site and play a key role in driving operational excellence, team engagement and the continued success of one of the UK's most advanced cold chain facilities Shift Available: Monday to Friday, 7am – 3pm Salary: Negotiable depending on experience Key Responsibilities Lead day‑to‑day warehouse operations across shifts and departments, ensuring performance targets, service levels, and site standards are consistently met. Champion a safety‑first and food‑safe culture, ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety, food hygiene, and HACCP requirements, and supporting internal and external audits. Manage and develop operational teams, including training, performance management, and succession planning to drive productivity and engagement. Oversee labour planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to support operational efficiency and customer demand. Ensure operational compliance with quality and accreditation standards (e.g. CMI, STS, EHO), maintaining accurate training and compliance records. Coordinate engineering and maintenance activities, including contractor management and planned maintenance scheduling. Drive continuous improvement across warehouse processes, inventory control, and customer service performance. Monitor KPIs related to cost, productivity, service, and safety, using data and reports to identify trends and implement improvements. Build strong cross‑functional relationships with Finance, HR, Sales, and Continuous Improvement teams. What we are looking for: A confident and experienced leader with a proven track record in identifying, analysing, and resolving operational challenges efficiently. Demonstrated success in managing large-scale operations, ideally in environments that include automation or temperature-controlled logistics. Experience in leading, developing, and motivating large teams, preferably with experience as a second-line manager. Proficiency in using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to manage inventory, workflows, and reporting. Strong background in logistics, warehousing, and distribution, with a deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations. Evidence of successful people management, including performance improvement, conflict resolution, and team engagement. High level of IT literacy with the ability to manage compliance systems and documentation. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and levels of the organisation. What’s in it for me? A permanent opportunity with a direct employer; we will not employ you through an agency. Opportunity to develop a career within an industry leading global company. Free onsite parking. Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offering confidential counselling and professional advice to support emotional well-being. Preferential loan and savings options available through exclusive access to a credit union. Job Reference: INDUK Why Lineage? We are a global company with more than 22,000 employees spanning 20 countries and more than 400 locations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. At Lineage Logistics, we have a shared purpose; we are transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world. This means working at Lineage is not just a job – it’s an opportunity to innovate and put your mark on how food moves from the farm to dinner tables around the world. As a member of our team, you will be a critical link in the food supply chain. Our shared purpose drives everything we do in all parts of our organisation, from the warehouse floor to the office. Our team members are passionate about the impact they make every single day. We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from persons regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. At Lineage we also recognise that Ex-Military, veterans, and military families have great experience with transferable skills and core values that can add significant value to our organisation. Benefits As a Lineage team member, we aim to provide everything you and your family need to thrive. That’s why we offer competitive rates of pay, paid time off, skills training, and development opportunities to grow a long and fulfilling career with us. This is enhanced by recognition schemes (so that your hard work won’t go unnoticed), plus the chance to make your salary go even further with our cycle-to-work scheme and preferential rates for loans and savings courtesy of a leading credit union. Your everyday wellbeing is also important to us, so we will provide you with all the protective equipment you need to be safe and comfortable at work, and you will have access to a free 24/7 employee assistance phone line, which offers confidential counselling and advice. With all of this offered against the backdrop of a fun and social environment in which you will be supported by a team who enjoy helping each other in achieving their goals, we are confident you will excel with us.