Distribution Operations Manager

Role overview

Salt is seeking a Distribution Manager for a leading FMCG business in Sydney. This position is central to warehousing, distribution, safety, and service performance within a modern, highly automated distribution centre. It is a leadership role with a strong commercial and people-management focus, responsible for guiding operational teams, improving warehouse efficiency, supporting continuous improvement, and delivering excellent customer outcomes while keeping safety, compliance, and cost under control.

What you will do

• Guide and build high-performing warehouse teams in a busy distribution setting.
• Oversee day-to-day performance across warehousing, dispatch, transport coordination, and inventory movement.
• Ensure warehousing services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively without compromising service quality.
• Review operational metrics and data to uncover opportunities for improvement and stronger results.
• Manage workforce planning, labour allocation, and performance coaching in a unionised environment.
• Create, roll out, and refine procedures, processes, and work instructions to lift operational consistency.
• Work closely with transport partners, planning teams, customer service, and other internal stakeholders to keep operations running smoothly.
• Champion Lean practices, continuous improvement, and practical problem-solving across the site.
• Control operating budgets, manage costs, and track productivity against targets.

Experience and capabilities

The ideal candidate will have substantial distribution centre experience, including at least 5 years in management roles. You should be able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership, keeping both the big picture and the day-to-day detail in focus. Experience leading workforce planning, labour management, and coaching in a unionised setting is important, along with strong communication skills to work effectively with teams, suppliers, and stakeholders. You will also need to be confident using warehouse systems and data tools, comfortable working in a fast-moving and deadline-driven environment, and committed to high standards of safety and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with bonus potential and company benefits.
• Opportunities to progress within a well-regarded organisation.

How to apply

If this role sounds like the right fit, you may submit your application online. For a confidential discussion, you can also contact Toni on 0429 841 882.