Warehouse Operations Manager

Warehouse Operations Manager 
Dual site – Donation Centre in Harrogate and Warehouse in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire – in line with the needs of the charity and rota 

We are committed to paying the Real Living Wage. 

 
About Us 

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.  

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer. 

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.  

The Benefits 

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more. 

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Warehouse Operations Manager, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen. 

 
The Role 
 
As a Warehouse Operations Manager you will oversee the Manse Lane Warehouse in Knaresborough, including donation sorting, storage, and supporting the eCommerce and Facilities teams.  

Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will manage the smooth migration of the sorting operation from the Hornbeam Park Donation Centre to Knaresborough, ensuring minimal disruption for customers, staff, and volunteers. Once operational, you will lead stock control and movement across both the Warehouse and Donation Centre, ensuring both sites are well-resourced and run efficiently seven days a week. Although sorting will move to Knaresborough, donation handling will continue at Hornbeam Park, requiring ongoing process review to minimise stock double-handling. 

Specifically, you will: 

Warehouse Setup & Migration – initial objective 

• Define goals, deliverables, and timelines for the new warehouse project. 

• Create detailed project and budget plans with the Finance Business Partner. 

• Identify resources, manage risks, and ensure operational alignment. 

• Design an efficient warehouse layout and manage setup (equipment, tech, logistics). 

Operational Handover & SOPs 

• Develop and implement new SOPs and adjust existing ones to suit the new site. 

• Support the Centre Manager with Duty Management planning and reconfigure the Hornbeam site to reflect its updated purpose. 

Monitoring, Compliance & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor success of migration via KPIs (efficiency, inventory accuracy, staff feedback). 

• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and oversee risk assessments. 

Ongoing Operational Management - Donation Centre & Warehouse 

• Ensure smooth day-to-day running of both sites, maintaining compliance, service quality, and brand standards. 

• Oversee the flow of donated stock from receipt to final distribution, minimising double handling and maintaining stock visibility. 

Customer, Donor & Volunteer Experience 

• Create a welcoming, professional environment for donors, supporters, and visitors. 

• Maintain high standards of customer service and manage complaints locally where possible. 

Duty Management 

• Take an active Duty Manager role and ensure robust Duty Management across both sites. 

Stock Logistics & Distribution 

• Oversee logistics including donor collections, stock deliveries, and shop orders. 

• Ensure appropriate stock allocation to retail/eCommerce based on demographics and demand. 

People Management 

• Line manage the Deputy Warehouse Manager, Sorting Assistants, Van Drivers, and volunteers. 

• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and high standards are upheld across the team. 

• Lead on recruitment, training, performance management, wellbeing, and development. 

Financial & Commercial Responsibility 

• Operate within budget, ensuring spend is necessary and well-managed. 

 
About You 

To be considered for this role, you will need: 

• To be ideally educated to degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience in a warehouse / operations management experience. 

• To have proven experience in a warehouse operations role at manager level.  

• To have experience of managing people and volunteers including recruitment and development. 

• To have previous experience in charity sector or commercial sector is desirable. 

• To have a basic understanding of Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel. 

• To be highly organised with good time management skills.  

• To be able to react to quickly changing dynamics and flexibility. 

• To have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  

• To have strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop and nurture talent.  

• To have proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. 

• A professional qualification check and DBS check (to be undertaken once the role is offered and accepted). 

• To have the ability to travel across the Yorkshire region if required. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.  

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 18 June 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity. 

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.