Warehouse Operations Leader at Unilever

Role Context

• Warehouse Cell Leader: owns conveyors, cranes and automation assets; governs the R2S technical processes for the cell and is accountable for equipment reliability.
• Warehouse & Internal Logistics Leader (this role): leads the people and ensures adherence to R2S (CILs, CL, Tag entry), setting and holding the standard every shift.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Team & Ways of Working: lead, coach and develop; standardise SOPs/visual standards across crews.
• R2S Support & Assurance: ensure CILs to standard; warehouse team participates in daily meetings; escalate via governance.
• Safety & Zero Harm: challenge unsafe behaviours; verify RA/PTW/LOTOTO; lead SEWO RCA and preventative actions.
• Purple Book (S507) Compliance: keep aerosol warehousing audit-ready; cage controls (EE-rated MHE, Ex-equipment) and aged-stock reviews.
• Global Standards & 3PL: embed G306-02; verify Warehouse MMR (S3014); support Transport MMR (S3008); align with UPA/CTC.
• Stock & Quality: inventory accuracy; manage aged/blocked/quarantine; traceability/recall readiness; QMS/GMP; QualityOne e-incidents (RCA/CAPA).
• Performance & Governance: achieve SQSC&P targets; turn KPI trends into actions; run effective daily/weekly tiers.
• Flow, Systems & Automation: assure accurate WMS transactions; remove constraints; keep AGVs/ASRS and data reliable with IT/OT (asset ownership sits with the Cell Leader).
• Third-Party Management: Mitie/DHL/Linde/Stobarts—SLAs, service reviews, inductions/RAMS/permits.
• BCP & Emergency: maintain warehouse BCP; participate in COMAH drills and learning reviews.
• AI & Digital Safety: pilot proximity/computer-vision/YMS/telematics solutions; embed in Purple Book/G306-02; track KPI impact.

ALL ABOUT YOU

What You’ll Bring (Essential)

• Safety-first, visible floor leader; confident on Upper Tier COMAH (RA/PTW/LOTOTO).
• R2S discipline: Ensure CIL routines and tier meeting cadence are maintained to uphold operational standards.
• WMS in automated environments (AGVs/ASRS) integrated to ERP; SAP familiarity.
• Data-driven with a track record of turning SQSC&P KPIs into sustained results.
• Strong communication and partner influence.
• Digital safety/quality tools (SEWO, Q-Kaizen/BuildApp) and RCA/CAPA leadership.
• Contractor management competence for safe, compliant, cost-effective delivery.
• Inventory control (counts, stocktakes, variance RCA, write-off prevention).
• Warehouse QMS/GMP and traceability.
• Demonstrates understanding of secure storage practices, zoning, and managing aged stock in a warehouse environment, with a willingness to learn and apply relevant industry standards.
• Uses digital safety data (YMS/telematics/proximity, CCTV analytics, SEWO trends) to close gaps.

Nice to Have (Preferred)

• NEBOSH General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely
• Delivered R2S improvements (CIL/5S/loss elimination) with measurable impact.
• Led automation/flow optimisation (layout, MHE utilisation, system change).
• Experience in multi-shift/24×7 operations and governance stabilisation.
• Deeper SAP and WMS reporting.
• COMAH or highly audited environment exposure.
• Inventory integrity programmes (shrink reduction, master-data, PI governance).
• Quality exposure (ISO 9001/GMP, internal auditor); hosted customer/3PL audits.
• Purple Book audit familiarity; UPA/CTC safety/security exposure.
• Piloted AI/proximity/computer-vision safety solutions with KPI improvements.

How You’ll Lead (Personal Qualities)

• Excellent communicator; clear, confident and audience-aware.
• Structured, data-led problem solver; drives root cause and prevention.
• Collaborative and engaging; builds trust across cells and functions.
• Energising coach; develops others and role-models leadership standard work.
• Resilient under pressure; delivers without compromising safety or quality.
• Safety advocate; persistent about Zero Harm and standardisation.
• CI mindset; challenges the status quo through R2S.
• Digitally confident; uses WMS/SEWO/Power BI to tell the story and drive action.
• Commercially aware; manages partner performance, cost and compliance.
• Quality mindset; protects consumer safety, product quality and stock integrity.