Sr. Operations Manager - Warehouse
Key Accountabilities
1. Warehouse Start Up & Project Management
• Own the warehouse start up from contract award to go live, including but limited to:
o Layout and capacity planning
o Process design and SOP development
o Labour ramp up and training plans
o Systems implementation (WMS, automation interfaces, reporting tools)
o Cycle count implementation
• Act as the overall operational project lead, coordinating:
o Internal teams (IT, Engineering, HR, Finance, Commercial)
o External vendors (racking, MHE, systems integrators)
o Customer stakeholders
• Build and manage detailed project plans, milestones, RAID logs, and readiness reviews.
• Ensure start up is delivered on time, within budget, and to contractual SLAs.
2. Operational Design & Innovation
• Design scalable, fit for purpose operating models for high volume, complex operations.
• Challenge “standard” solutions where required — applying creative problem solving to constraints such as space, labour, systems, or cost.
• Identify and implement automation, mechanisation, or digital solutions where they deliver real ROI.
• Balance speed of deployment with long term operational sustainability.
3. Leadership & Team Build
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high performing operations leadership team (Ops Managers, Department Manager, Support Functions).
• Establish a strong safety first, performance driven culture from day one.
• Coach leaders through ambiguity and rapid change during start up and ramp up.
• Act as the visible senior leader on site during critical phases.
4. Customer & Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the senior operational interface with the customer during implementation and early operations.
• Translate customer requirements into executable operational solutions.
• Manage expectations while maintaining contractual integrity and commercial discipline.
• Present confidently to senior customer stakeholders, including performance updates and risk mitigation plans.
5. Performance, Cost & Risk Control
• Own operational KPIs including:
o Productivity
o Service level attainment
o Safety and quality metrics
o Maintain Cycle count schedules
• Establish strong cost controls during ramp up and steady state.
• Proactively identify operational risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives post go live
Skills, Experience & Capability
Essential
• Proven experience leading large scale warehouse operations.
• Demonstrated success in start ups or major operational transformations.
• Strong project management capability in live operational environments.
• Commercially astute — understands cost drivers, margins, and contract obligations.
• Able to operate effectively in uncertain, high pressure environments.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels.