Head of Distribution, Waitrose

John Lewis Partnership

Apply on JLP Jobs – the official careers website for John Lewis Partnership, John Lewis & Partners, and Waitrose & Partners.

About the role

As Head of Distribution, you will be responsible for leading our distribution network, navigating the challenges of a large-scale, fast-paced operation. Our network is a blend of in-house and third-party logistics operated sites. The Head of Distribution will set the future vision and direction for the Distribution Team, ensuring fully optimized, future-proof operations that enable the Waitrose and Partnership business plans. The role will also focus on ensuring excellent productivity and effective cost control, while achieving the optimal balance between service levels and efficiency of people, systems, and processes, always considering changes in trading performance, emerging business strategies, external influences, and industry best practices.

You will lead the teams to achieve operational excellence and deliver against targets within an extremely volatile, demand-driven environment across a 24/7 operation. You will have operational responsibility for two Partner-run Regional Distribution Centres and oversee the performance of external 3PL operations, including two further Regional Distribution Centres, the National Distribution Centre, and additional operations led by GXO, Wincanton, and Lenham, supporting a Waitrose £10bn retail operation.

Salary: £133,000 – £181,000.

Contract type: This position is a Permanent contract.

Location: This is a homeworker role with expected national travel.

Interviews: Likely to take place the week commencing 16th June.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Experience leading large-scale, fast-paced operations, ideally in grocery/Retail, with a budget accountability of approximately £300m pa.
• Experience managing performance to meet key KPIs, managing large budgets, and delivering financial targets.
• Experience managing 3PLs, including performance management, contract negotiations, and tender renewals. Experience working directly for a 3PL is advantageous.
• Good knowledge of safety and legal compliance in large-scale transport and warehouse operations, ideally with previous O licence responsibility and Manager CPC qualification.
• Proven experience creating diverse and inclusive cultures, supported by effective development and talent mapping.
• Effective stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence internal and external groups.
• Understanding of the grocery market and its demands, especially in volatile conditions.
• Experience creating motivated, high-performing teams.
• Experience leading large teams through change and transformation.
• People-focused leadership with the ability to inspire others.

The partnership

We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home of John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees; we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. We focus on being brilliant at retail, continuously innovating, adapting, and diversifying. We uphold our values of price, quality, and service in John Lewis and passionately serve food lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners, we share ownership and the rewards, contributing to our success through our voices, working together through all challenges, and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We aim to create an environment where everyone belongs, embracing differences and fostering growth both individually and collectively.

As Partners, we make a difference, and we own it.

Important points to note:

• Some roles require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks if applicable. You will be informed and provided with details during recruitment.
• Apply promptly, as vacancies may close early if many applications are received.
• We support flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance, including flexible hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts. Discuss options with the hiring manager during the interview.