Despatch Team Leader

Who we are and what we do

We, Hachette UK Distribution, are the leading book distribution company in the UK.   We are one of the most advanced distribution centres in Europe, with leading-edge automation and modern systems which will ensure world-class service to customers and publisher clients. We ship in excess of 60 million books globally each year and supply one out of every four books to the UK trade.

Our mission is to make it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment and opportunity.

Hachette UK Distribution is part of the Hachette UK publishing group.

What you'll be doing

In conjunction with the Operations management team, the Team Leader is responsible for the day to 
day running of individual Operational teams. The Team Leader will take responsibility for managing the 
work flows within the team and allocating resources to deliver excellent customer services to 
internal and external customers and to achieve departmental targets.
An Operations Team Leader could be asked to work in any of the departmental functions depending on 
skills and experience. Where specific training is required then this will be provided by the 
Company.

• Ensure the team members complete duties in line with operational targets, organisational 
  objectives and KPIs.
• Ensure adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safe Working Practices (SWPs) 
  identified for each of the working areas and/or tasks within Operations.
  Ensure the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safe Working Practices (SWPs) are accurate 
  and up to date.
• Communicate effectively with team members and management.
• Ensure high standards of quality and productivity are maintained in accordance with our internal 
  quality and continuous improvement programmes.
• Identify areas of improvement and raise with line manager.
  Identify training requirements and ensure new team members are inducted effectively.
• Train and share knowledge and experience with team members to enable tasks to be carried out to 
  the required standards.
• Assist Supervisors when required (or in their absence) to ensure availability of sufficient team members to meet daily workloads by managing holidays and sickness manpower planning, working with other departments to gain efficient coverage of people to reach targets.
• Manage sickness and attendance record of team and take steps to control any unauthorised absence in accordance with company targets.
  Ensure the highest standards of housekeeping are maintained.
• Effectively undertake and complete specific tasks as requested ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Maintain all Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) in a safe working condition and keep accurate records of these checks.
• Ensure punctuality, full attendance and suitable appearance at all times.
• Have a hands-on role within the team.

Who we are looking for

• Good communication skills and able to work with people at all levels. 
• Understanding of the importance of health and safety in the workplace.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of both spoken and written English.
• Competent user of MS Office. Knowledge, Experience & Qualifications
• Proven experience of working in a warehouse environment.
• Qualifications relating to a warehouse environment e.g. manual handling training, CILT /NVQs etc.
• H&S/ First Aid training.
• Experience of managing a team.
• Experience of using WMS systems. Skills & Attitudes
• Able to follow instructions.
• Organised. 
• Willing to learn new skills and different areas of Operations.
• Adaptable and open to change.
• Reliable and good at time-keeping. 
• Demonstrable ability to manage tight deadlines and peaks of workload whilst maintaining attention to detail.
• Positive attitude and proactive approach to work. 
• Self-motivated but also a team player.
• Calm under pressure. 
• Skills & Attitudes 
• Experience of dealing with performance management.
• Approachable at all times.
• Attention to detail
• Quality conscious.
• Customer focused.
• Health & Safety focused

What we offer

Our people are our greatest asset and our benefits reflect this. Therefore, we offer an extensive list of benefits that include:

• 35 days annual holiday including Bank Holidays
• Pension Plan and Life Assurance schemes
• Company enhanced family policy including maternity, paternity and shared parental
• Reward programme giving discounts, savings and cash back at numerous retailers
• 2 Community Days per year
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Generous discounts on books we publish
• Mental Health First Aiders / Champions and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Wide-ranging training library
• Development Programmes including Mentoring
• Staff Events 
• Many employee networks to join
• Free onsite parking
• Free tea and coffee

Our commitment

Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities.  We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.

If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend your interview, please let us know.

We will notify all candidates of the outcome of their application.