First line manager (VNA) - 2pm-10pm

Closing date for applications: 29th November 2025

Salary: £31,604

Location: Didcot, Oxford

Lead and develop a high-performing team at the UK's top book distribution centre, driving operational excellence and ensuring millions of books reach readers every year.

We, Hachette UK Distribution, are the leading book distribution company in the UK. We are one of the most advanced distribution centres in Europe, with leading-edge automation and modern systems which will ensure world-class service to customers and publisher clients. We ship in excess of 60 million books globally each year and supply one out of every four books to the UK trade. Our mission is to make it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment and opportunity. Hachette UK Distribution is part of the Hachette UK publishing group.


What you'll be doing

• Lead, motivate and develop the very narrow aisle (VNA) team (team leader & drivers), ensuring high performance, engagement and adherence to company policies
• Plan, forecast and monitor daily, weekly and monthly VNA operations to achieve targets, KPIs and organisational objectives
• Collaborate with internal departments and external partners (e.g., Linde Material Handling, Körber, Jucie, Renovotec) to ensure smooth operations and effective issue resolution
• Analyse performance and process data (using Excel, Plancise etc), identify trends, and proactively drive improvements and opportunities for optimisation
• Oversee the management of MHE licences, maintain fleet records, ensure accurate and timely data via fleet management system and ensure highest standards of housekeeping
• Convey clear and accurate information across the operational team via correct communication channels; support audit counts, third-party relations and data requirements
• Lead change initiatives from planning, testing through implementation, embrace continuous improvement and challenge existing processes
• Manage employee related activities: recruitment, performance reviews, development plans, 1:1 meetings, training (H&S, SOPs) and maintain accurate records
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, company policies, environmental management and internal audit standards
• Provide flexible support to cover all areas of operations as required, working collaboratively with other operational managers

Who we are looking for

• The successful candidate should be a strong leader and have a can-do attitude with excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• They will have experience of working across a multi departmental function.
• This role is a blend of team leadership, strategic planning and delivering, as well as working closely with internal and external partners to achieve a common goal.
• The role requires a high degree of planning and team management with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others, as is the character to inspire the team.

What we offer

Our people are our greatest asset and our benefits reflect this. Therefore, we offer an extensive list of benefits that include:

• 34 days annual holiday including Bank Holidays
• Pension Plan and Life Assurance schemes
• Company enhanced family policy including maternity, paternity and shared parental
• Reward programme giving discounts, savings and cash back at numerous retailers
• 2 Community Days per year
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Generous discounts on books we publish
• Mental Health First Aiders / Champions and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Wide-ranging training library
• Development Programmes including Mentoring
• Staff Events
• Many employee networks to join
• Free onsite parking
• Free tea and coffee

Our commitment

Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know. We will notify all candidates of the outcome of their application.

Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.