Job Description

As Warehouse Manager at Lathams Hemel Hempstead you will be responsible for overseeing and managing the daily operations of a panel distribution warehouse, ensuring the safe, efficient, and accurate handing, storage, and dispatch of timber goods. This role ensures that warehouse operations run smoothly, safely, and in compliance with company policies and regulations. The warehouse manager is responsible for leading the warehouse team and ensuring that timber is stored and transported in accordance with quality standards, health and safety regulations, and company procedures to meet customer and business demands, and delivery schedules.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Warehouse Operations Management:

Plan, organise, supervise, and participate in safe daily warehouse operations and activities including receiving, storing, picking, handling, packing, landing and dispatching goods.

Ensure efficient workflow and space utilisation.

Working with the operations manager, developing and implementing operational strategies, processes, policies and systems to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality.

2. Goods In & Inventory Control:

Oversee the Goods In process, ensuring timely and accurate receipt of incoming goods.

Oversee the inspection and quality control for Goods In.

Maintain accurate inventory records and conduct regular stock counts in line with WMS criteria.

Implement and monitor inventory control systems to reduce stock losses and improve accuracy.

Oversee stock replenishment process.

3. Staff Supervision & Development:

Lead, train, schedule, and supervise warehouse staff.

Manage warehouse recruitment, staff inductions and training programs.

Monitor team performance using Performance Hub including performance review and one-to-one's. Promote a productive, safe, and motivated work environment. Manage any HR issues.

Promote a culture of continuous learning, fostering teamwork and communication to enhance productivity and morale.

Manage and record holidays and sickness within the warehouse. Ensure adequate staffing levels in all warehouse departments.

Manage recruitment of warehouse staff and including inductions and all aspects of probationary training.

4. Health & Safety, Risk Management and Training:

Enforce health, safety and environmental regulations in the warehouse.

Manage and log all warehouse related complaints, incidents, near miss and accidents including investigating, reporting to insurers and Operations Manager. Implement corrective measures.

Maintain health and safety in accordance with SWP's and TBT's.

Complete daily NMO walkarounds with supervisors and ensure all staff follow proper procedures.

Manage forklift refreshers, IOSH calendar, SEMA qualified racking refreshers and schedule training when required.

Ensure compliance with legal, safety and industry regulations.

Manage yearly SWP calendar, and ad hoc TBT training for all operatives. Ensure all records are up to date on BisTrack.

IOSH qualification.

Maintain weekly racking inspection reports and manage maintenance and repairs with supplier. Organise and record annual supplier inspection.

Maintain proper documentation and reporting practices.

5. Cost

Control and Budget Management

Manage and order all warehouse related consumables such as coverboards, banding wire, bearers.

Monitor and manage warehouse budgets. Analyse warehouse requirements for budgeting purposes.

Identify cost-saving opportunities and reduce operational expenses.

6. Quality Control:

Ensure all incoming and outgoing goods meet quality standards.

Working with Goods In, address and resolve any discrepancies or damaged goods.

7. Equipment and Maintenance:

Oversee the proper use and maintenance of warehouse equipment such as forklifts.

Schedule routine forklift maintenance and report any issues promptly.

Keep the record logs of all inspections and reports up to date and accurate digitally (R-Drive) and manually.

Complete weekly inspections of Combi trucks and racking.

Maintain racking inspection register.

Create and maintain a downtime register.

8. Order fulfillment and Dispatch:

Ensure accurate and timely picking, packing, and shipping of orders.

Oversee customer collections, managing the distribution of the workload.

Coordinate with the transport team to meet delivery deadlines.

9. Warehouse Layout and Organisation:

Design and implement efficient storage layouts.

Optimise space for maximum productivity and safety.

10. Reporting and Documentation:

Prepare regular reports on warehouse performance and productivity.

Ensure all transactions are accurately recorded and investigated in WMS.

11. Coordination with Other Departments:

Work closely with sales and transport to align warehouse activities with business needs.

Communicate any supply chain or inventory issues promptly.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Proven experience as a Warehouse Manager or similar role.

Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Solid understanding of warehouse procedures, inventory control, and logistics.

Proficient with warehouse management systems (WMS) and MS Office Suite.

Excellent problem solving and decision-making abilities.

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Solid understanding of health & safety, and compliance standard (IOSH).

Desired Qualities:

Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture while focusing on day-to-day operational details.

Results-oriented with a focus on achieving key business goals and driving performance improvements.

Ability to adapt quickly to changing business environments and new technologies.

Ability to lift heavy objects and operate warehouse equipment/combi lift.

Proactive and solutions-driven approach to addressing operational challenges.

You'll be working in a modern and well-equipped environment which provides opportunities to develop and grow your career. You will be part of a friendly team that continually seeks out new and innovative products and better ways to serve its customers. Benefits include a competitive salary, up to 7.5% matched pension contributions, bonus schemes, a Health Cash Plan, life assurance and a free employee assistance program offering mental health, well-being, financial, and legal support.


James Latham is one of the UK's largest independent trade distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces. As a long-established, family-owned business with history back to 1757, we believe our success is down to our employees and are proud to say that many of our team stay with us for decades. In a recent survey 86% said they would recommend James Latham as a great place to work.


James Latham - the natural choice