Working in a distribution centre

You don't need to be a boiler engineer.

Just be able to cope when the heat is on.

Working in a distribution centre

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A BOILER ENGINEER. JUST BE ABLE TO COPE WHEN THE HEAT IS ON.

Working in distribution

Our Distribution Centres in Redditch, Middleton, and Daventry are hives of activity, so they’re exciting and fast-paced places to work where you’ll always be kept busy and we guarantee it’s never boring. Join us and you’ll find things are constantly developing to keep up with the meteoric growth of the business.

It’s about reacting to changes quickly and effectively, always looking for bigger and better ways to do things and making sure we stay well organised and on top of everything. So, whatever level you join us at, you’ll be a valuable member of the team, with the chance to speak out and give us your ideas to improve the way we work.

You don’t need to join us with any experience as we will provide you with robust and comprehensive training, which will continue as you transfer to different teams to learn new skills. We do however pay a shift enhancement for those people who have held Materials Handling Equipment and Reach Truck licenses previously.

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

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Take a look around a Distribution Centre

What to expect

Working in a Distribution Centre suits a special kind of person. The work is physically demanding, you need to wear safety boots throughout your shift and the environment is hot in the summer and cold in the winter but if you enjoy being active and being kept busy, you’ll find your shift goes quickly and your colleagues will keep you smiling throughout.

Because we’re growing so quickly, you’ll also find a place where you can build a long and successful career, with plenty of learning and development opportunities. In fact, whenever we have an opportunity, we always give our own people the chance to apply. And it pays off – we could tell you a number of stories of people who started out as a Warehouse Operative or a Goods In Administrator and are now in leadership roles within our Group.

At Toolstation, we’re not just looking to fill jobs today, we're looking for the longer term potential in you and the future leaders of our business.

Your potential career path

Distribution Centre Administrator

You’ll be running the administration for an entire Distribution Centre. This means you’ll cover everything from dealing with mail to looking at security issues, keeping an eye on maintenance needs, raising purchase orders and making sure vending machines are stocked. You’ll also be responsible for general housekeeping, such as organising work permits, keeping health and safety records and reporting on any first aid incidents.

With good admin and planning skills, you’ll know your way around a PC and will be used to using Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. You’ll also be happy working on your own, or as part of a team and comfortable dealing with people at all levels of the business.

Warehouse Operative

Whether you’re dealing with products coming in or going out of our warehouse, you’ll make sure they’re loaded or unloaded safely and everything’s recorded accurately. It’s about being a reliable member of the team, getting on with your teammates and making sure the warehouse runs effectively and efficiently. 

That means being ready to handle sometimes big and heavy pieces of equipment, to work on your feet for long periods in hot or cold conditions and to keep your work area clean and tidy. You’ll also need to be well organised and for some roles, happy to record delivery details on our computer system. 

Stock Control Operative

You’ll make sure that we have the right stock levels across all our systems by doing regular stock checks and arranging returns and reworked stock in and out of the Distribution Centre. This involves using our systems to check on everything from empty locations to store deliveries and replenishments, correcting any problems and using spreadsheets to track your work. You’ll also be driving a forklift.

You’ll need experience of doing daily inventory controls and keeping high standards for audits. Naturally, you’ll need to be good with computers and know your way around Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. Highly organised and good with numbers, you’ll also be able to deal confidently with people on the phone. And ideally, you’ll be used to using Reach Trucks and V trucks.

Leading Hand

You’ll be supporting the Team Leader by supervising your team’s work to make sure everything runs smoothly. This means you’ll need to keep an eye on safety and productivity and motivate your team to meets its targets. At the same time, you’ll make sure they get the training they need, so they can achieve their full potential.

Naturally, you’ll need to be an inspirational leader and a good communicator, with a thorough understanding of how a Distribution Centre works. With great planning skills and a can-do attitude, you’ll be comfortable being part of the team and at the same time working with the Team Leader to keep improving performance.

Team Leader

As a Team Leader, you’ll inspire, motivate and lead your team, making sure they know their targets and what’s expected of them. This includes developing their knowledge and skills, as well as keeping them up to speed with health and safety requirements, managing holidays and helping to recruit new team members. You’ll also be working closely with other Team Leaders, the Shift Manager and Operations Manager to keep the Distribution Centre running effectively.

You’ll be a confident communicator, used to motivating a diverse team. With a background in logistics and experience of warehouse or distribution centre operations, you’ll be a positive leader, with the ability to get people on your side.

Shift Manager

You’ll be managing a group of Team Leaders and working closely with the Stock Control Manager, the Buying team and our suppliers to make sure that all operations run smoothly across the shift. This involves keeping an eye on health and safety, as well as reviewing workloads, monitoring performance and managing discipline. You’ll also be responsible for recruiting Team Leaders and coaching and mentoring them to support their personal development. 

You’ll have a background in warehouse or distribution centre operations, along with experience of large-scale logistics. With the ability to manage a large, multi-functional team, you’ll be able to see the bigger picture and make plans to keep your shift running effectively. 

Operations Manager

You’ll play a key role in giving our customers an excellent experience by making sure that the Distribution Centre picks, packs and sends out orders as quickly and efficiently as possible. This involves planning and coordinating operations across the Distribution Centre, implementing new strategies and processes, controlling operating costs and maintaining the highest standards. It’s about working closely with senior managers to develop an overall operational plan. At the same time, you’ll create a positive, energetic atmosphere that inspires a can-do approach and encourages team leaders to hit targets. 

You’ll be an experienced manager, used to leading large teams in a Distribution Centre, controlling operational budgets and achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Naturally, you’ll be a confident communicator, with a strategic and analytical approach. You’ll also have experience of leading operations in a rapidly changing, high-demand Distribution Centre and managing third party suppliers.

Stock Control Manager

You’ll be overseeing all stock in the Distribution Centre, from the time it comes in to the moment it leaves. By producing and managing stock check schedules, maintaining effective systems and reporting to senior managers, you’ll make sure we continue to maximise productivity and accuracy. It’s about effective monitoring, keeping accurate records and developing reliable processes for efficient stock control. As well as working with Distribution Centre teams to pinpoint training needs, you’ll also deal with suppliers and stores about stock shortages and wrong delivery notes.

You’ll be used to working with a changing stock profile in a large Distribution Centre, adapting to operational demand and new lines and talking to stores. That means you’ll understand the importance of inventory systems and will have experience of accurate stock management and inventory control. With an analytical approach and strong computer skills, you’ll have a positive, energetic attitude.

MHE Instructor

You’ll make sure that everyone who works in the Distribution Centre has the right training to use the relevant equipment and systems. As well as planning and carrying out training programmes yourself, you’ll also oversee a team of in-house instructors. This involves making sure they’re fully qualified and coaching them to keep consistent levels of training across the Distribution Centre. It also means you’ll need to keep up-to-date on the latest legislation and understand how it affects training. At the same time, you’ll be responsible for monitoring the Linda Trucks in the Distribution Centre and making sure they’re well-maintained and regularly serviced, flagging any issues to managers.

With a positive, patient approach, you’ll have a thorough understanding of manual handling equipment and relevant large-scale warehouse or Distribution Centre operations. As an experienced coach and trainer, you’ll be an excellent communicator with the ability to make complicated instructions and information easy to understand.

Distribution Centre Administrator

You’ll be running the administration for an entire Distribution Centre. This means you’ll cover everything from dealing with mail to looking at security issues, keeping an eye on maintenance needs, raising purchase orders and making sure vending machines are stocked. You’ll also be responsible for general housekeeping, such as organising work permits, keeping health and safety records and reporting on any first aid incidents.

With good admin and planning skills, you’ll know your way around a PC and will be used to using Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. You’ll also be happy working on your own, or as part of a team and comfortable dealing with people at all levels of the business.

Warehouse Operative

Whether you’re dealing with products coming in or going out of our warehouse, you’ll make sure they’re loaded or unloaded safely and everything’s recorded accurately. It’s about being a reliable member of the team, getting on with your teammates and making sure the warehouse runs effectively and efficiently. 

That means being ready to handle sometimes big and heavy pieces of equipment, to work on your feet for long periods in hot or cold conditions and to keep your work area clean and tidy. You’ll also need to be well organised and for some roles, happy to record delivery details on our computer system. 

Stock Control Operative

You’ll make sure that we have the right stock levels across all our systems by doing regular stock checks and arranging returns and reworked stock in and out of the Distribution Centre. This involves using our systems to check on everything from empty locations to store deliveries and replenishments, correcting any problems and using spreadsheets to track your work. You’ll also be driving a forklift.

You’ll need experience of doing daily inventory controls and keeping high standards for audits. Naturally, you’ll need to be good with computers and know your way around Microsoft Office or Google Workspace. Highly organised and good with numbers, you’ll also be able to deal confidently with people on the phone. And ideally, you’ll be used to using Reach Trucks and V trucks.

Leading Hand

You’ll be supporting the Team Leader by supervising your team’s work to make sure everything runs smoothly. This means you’ll need to keep an eye on safety and productivity and motivate your team to meets its targets. At the same time, you’ll make sure they get the training they need, so they can achieve their full potential.

Naturally, you’ll need to be an inspirational leader and a good communicator, with a thorough understanding of how a Distribution Centre works. With great planning skills and a can-do attitude, you’ll be comfortable being part of the team and at the same time working with the Team Leader to keep improving performance.

Team Leader

As a Team Leader, you’ll inspire, motivate and lead your team, making sure they know their targets and what’s expected of them. This includes developing their knowledge and skills, as well as keeping them up to speed with health and safety requirements, managing holidays and helping to recruit new team members. You’ll also be working closely with other Team Leaders, the Shift Manager and Operations Manager to keep the Distribution Centre running effectively.

You’ll be a confident communicator, used to motivating a diverse team. With a background in logistics and experience of warehouse or distribution centre operations, you’ll be a positive leader, with the ability to get people on your side.

Shift Manager

You’ll be managing a group of Team Leaders and working closely with the Stock Control Manager, the Buying team and our suppliers to make sure that all operations run smoothly across the shift. This involves keeping an eye on health and safety, as well as reviewing workloads, monitoring performance and managing discipline. You’ll also be responsible for recruiting Team Leaders and coaching and mentoring them to support their personal development. 

You’ll have a background in warehouse or distribution centre operations, along with experience of large-scale logistics. With the ability to manage a large, multi-functional team, you’ll be able to see the bigger picture and make plans to keep your shift running effectively. 

Operations Manager

You’ll play a key role in giving our customers an excellent experience by making sure that the Distribution Centre picks, packs and sends out orders as quickly and efficiently as possible. This involves planning and coordinating operations across the Distribution Centre, implementing new strategies and processes, controlling operating costs and maintaining the highest standards. It’s about working closely with senior managers to develop an overall operational plan. At the same time, you’ll create a positive, energetic atmosphere that inspires a can-do approach and encourages team leaders to hit targets. 

You’ll be an experienced manager, used to leading large teams in a Distribution Centre, controlling operational budgets and achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Naturally, you’ll be a confident communicator, with a strategic and analytical approach. You’ll also have experience of leading operations in a rapidly changing, high-demand Distribution Centre and managing third party suppliers.

Stock Control Manager

You’ll be overseeing all stock in the Distribution Centre, from the time it comes in to the moment it leaves. By producing and managing stock check schedules, maintaining effective systems and reporting to senior managers, you’ll make sure we continue to maximise productivity and accuracy. It’s about effective monitoring, keeping accurate records and developing reliable processes for efficient stock control. As well as working with Distribution Centre teams to pinpoint training needs, you’ll also deal with suppliers and stores about stock shortages and wrong delivery notes.

You’ll be used to working with a changing stock profile in a large Distribution Centre, adapting to operational demand and new lines and talking to stores. That means you’ll understand the importance of inventory systems and will have experience of accurate stock management and inventory control. With an analytical approach and strong computer skills, you’ll have a positive, energetic attitude.

MHE Instructor

You’ll make sure that everyone who works in the Distribution Centre has the right training to use the relevant equipment and systems. As well as planning and carrying out training programmes yourself, you’ll also oversee a team of in-house instructors. This involves making sure they’re fully qualified and coaching them to keep consistent levels of training across the Distribution Centre. It also means you’ll need to keep up-to-date on the latest legislation and understand how it affects training. At the same time, you’ll be responsible for monitoring the Linda Trucks in the Distribution Centre and making sure they’re well-maintained and regularly serviced, flagging any issues to managers.

With a positive, patient approach, you’ll have a thorough understanding of manual handling equipment and relevant large-scale warehouse or Distribution Centre operations. As an experienced coach and trainer, you’ll be an excellent communicator with the ability to make complicated instructions and information easy to understand.

Distribution Centre Administrator
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Developing your skills

Because our business is growing at such a fantastic rate, we’re looking for people who want to grow with us. So, we don’t want you to just turn up, do the job and go home. We’ll be looking for a can-do attitude with the drive and commitment to go over and above your normal work.

Show us you’ve got what it takes and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to build your experience and develop your skills. We actively want to promote our people, so you’ll have a choice of internal training programmes to help you get to the next step in your career. And when you’re ready to move up, you’ll have the support of someone already doing the job who can talk you through the role and help with any day-to-day issues.

As part of the Toolstation Academy, you’ll have access to internal training in a range of areas, from leadership to people management and Health & Safety. And at the more senior levels, we’ll give you the support you need to study for an NVQ Level 5 in Leadership, including a mentor and study time off the shop floor.

Meet our people

Denisa, Warehouse Operator

Denisa, Warehouse Operator

I started a few months ago and am very happy working here at Toolstation. A typical day is very busy but we earn good money and the people here are very friendly and sometimes a little crazy but in a good way. Sometimes it can be cold in the Distribution Centre but that is the only downside I can think of and that is just part of the job.

Gemma, Warehouse Operator

Gemma, Warehouse Operator

I have been working here for five years. A typical day is very busy but there are lots of lovely people that work here that are always willing to help you. I am starting to get restless as I have done my role for quite a while, although I am still learning new skills and have just been trained in MHE. I will be looking internally to see what opportunities I can apply for next in Toolstation as I would like to stay with the business to develop my career.

Michael, Leading Hand

Michael, Leading Hand

I started here in the Replenishment department before moving on to VNA and then getting promoted to Leading Hand on Goods In. It is really busy here but at the same time exciting. There are lots of moving parts and always something going on in a place like this. We get a lot of support and training to deal with the high volumes. Further progression is definitely on the cards for me and I am looking to move up within the company.

Hannah, Team Leader

Hannah, Team Leader

I joined the company six months ago as a Team Leader. My job is to support my team and to make sure that everything runs smoothly and we get the job done each day, no matter what is thrown at you. But it is not all serious business. I love being part of the team here and it is my job to create staff engagement. We try to create a sense of fun here at Toolstation with different activities and there is always something going on.

Stuart, Shift Manager

Stuart, Shift Manager

I started here as a Team Leader six years ago and was recently promoted to Shift Manager. It is typically very busy, lots of lines coming in and out, anywhere between 27,000 and 30,000 lines so it really is all go. The best thing about Toolstation is seeing how many people have progressed. There are always opportunities for people to develop. I still have a lot to learn but am getting great support as I look to enhance my expertise in my role. After that I will definitely be looking to progress again and with such a fast-growth business, I feel it is entirely possible.

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