Clark James Recruitment are working with a highly professional business based in Chatham, Kent.
Our client is currently going through an extensive expansion period, this transformation involves investment in people, systems, infrastructure, and supply chain capability.
As a result of their expansion plans, they currently have an opportunity for a Warehouse & Production Manager, this position is central to our client’s expansion plans.
Position
This is a newly created role reporting to the Operations Director.
You will take full ownership of warehouse and production operations, including goods-in, stock management, assembly, quality control, dispatch, warranty processing, and health & safety compliance.
You will be joining a small, experienced team with deep institutional knowledge and long-standing working relationships. Several team members have been with the business for decades.
The successful applicant will earn trust through competence and consistency. The ability to introduce modern operational practices, challenge the status quo constructively, and drive change without alienating the existing team is a prerequisite.
This role has a clear development trajectory.
For the right person, it represents a pathway to Operations Director within 18–24 months, with full P&L accountability across production, logistics, and supply chain.
Responsibilities
Warehouse & Stock Management
Own all inbound goods receiving, inspection, storage, and stock rotation across gearboxes, motors, and components.
Implement and maintain accurate stock control using Sage SO (formerly SDMO), ensuring real-time visibility of inventory levels, reorder points, and lead times.
Manage warehouse layout and storage systems to support increasing throughput as the business scales.
Oversee dispatch operations to ensure orders are picked, packed, and shipped accurately and on time.
Coordinate with the Purchasing and Logistics Manager on inbound shipment scheduling, container receiving, and stock put-away.
Production Operations
Manage day-to-day production scheduling across gearbox assembly, motor preparation, and testing.
Work directly with the Workshop Manager and assembly team to plan capacity, identify bottlenecks, and drive efficiency improvements.
Support the transition to two-shift operation as order volumes increase.
Introduce and maintain production KPIs covering output, quality, on-time delivery, and waste.
Ensure all work is completed to quality standards and that non-conformances are captured, investigated, and resolved.
Systems & Process
Use HubSpot CRM to maintain visibility of order pipelines and coordinate production priorities with sales.
Use Sage SO for production management, stock control, and operational reporting.
Identify process gaps and implement practical improvements, bringing ideas from outside the business where established methods are no longer fit for purpose.
Build standard operating procedures for warehouse and production workflows.
Health, Safety & Compliance
Take day-to-day responsibility for H&S compliance across the warehouse and workshop.
Maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work, and equipment inspection records.
Drive a culture of safety and operational discipline within the team.
Warranty Processing
Manage the end-to-end warranty claims process, from initial receipt through investigation, resolution, and return/replacement.
Coordinate with the Workshop Manager and engineering team on fault diagnosis and root cause analysis for returned units.
Maintain accurate warranty records and reporting to support the company’s 5-year warranty programme.
Identify recurring failure patterns and feed findings back into quality improvement processes.
People & Leadership
Line-manage warehouse operatives and work collaboratively with the Workshop Manager and assembly fitters.
Build productive working relationships with a long-standing team, some of whom have 30-40+ years of service.
Navigate embedded hierarchy and established ways of working with diplomacy, while still driving the change the business needs.
Recruit, onboard, and develop warehouse staff as the team scales from current headcount to full operational capacity.
Work closely with the Purchasing and Logistics Manager on inbound supply chain coordination, stock replenishment, and import scheduling.
Candidate
Essential
Proven experience managing warehouse and/or production operations in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
Demonstrable ability to introduce change within teams that have established cultures and long-tenured staff.
Strong stock management skills with experience of ERP/MRP systems.
Hands-on, operationally focused, willing to get involved at every level rather than manage from a desk.
Comfortable with technology: confident using CRM, production management, and inventory systems.
Strong organisational and planning skills with attention to detail.
IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent H&S qualification (or willingness to obtain within 6 months).
Desirable
Experience in power transmission, industrial equipment, or mechanical engineering manufacturing.
Familiarity with HubSpot and/or Sage products.
Experience managing import logistics from Far East suppliers.
Track record of progressing from an operational management role into a broader director-level position.
Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement qualification or experience.
Career Development
Our client is growing rapidly, and the leadership team will grow with it, this role is designed to evolve as the business grows.
The initial focus is operational, getting the warehouse, stock, and production running at the standard required to support 10x revenue growth.
As you prove capable, the scope expands to encompass full supply chain management, supplier relationship ownership, and eventually an Operations Director appointment with a seat at the senior leadership table. This pathway is not guaranteed. It depends entirely on performance, the ability to earn trust across the team, and demonstrating the strategic thinking needed to operate at board level.
Package
Highly competitive basic salary (dependent on experience).
25 days holiday + bank holidays.
Company Pension.
In your application/covering letter, please address specifically how you have introduced operational change in environments with long-standing teams and established ways of working
