Warehouse and Distribution Manager

About the Company

The Global Distribution is an international supply chain and distribution business serving the health supplements, cosmetics, skincare and consumer products sectors. The company operates across Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, Ireland, the UK, South Korea, Japan and Singapore, and is growing its Melbourne distribution centre.

Role Overview

This Melbourne-based, on-site leadership role is focused on running the full warehouse operation. The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is suited to someone who is practical, process-driven and comfortable leading a team while improving systems and performance.

You will be accountable for inbound logistics, stock control, fulfilment, dispatch, safety, compliance and ongoing operational improvements, with a strong emphasis on delivering a safe, efficient and high-quality warehouse environment.

Core Duties

In this role, you will oversee daily warehouse activity, logistics coordination, inventory integrity, systems usage, compliance, team leadership and continuous improvement initiatives.

Warehouse Operations

• Direct all day-to-day warehouse activity.
• Oversee receiving, inspection, put-away, replenishment, picking, packing and dispatch.
• Protect stock accuracy and inventory integrity.
• Improve warehouse layout and make better use of storage space.
• Keep the site well organised, clean and professionally presented.
• Schedule inbound and outbound freight movement.
• Manage unloading of containers and pallet handling.
• Supervise warehouse labour and external contractors.

Logistics and Supply Chain

• Coordinate transport partners, freight providers and domestic as well as international deliveries.
• Track delivery performance and resolve transport-related issues.
• Manage freight spend and improve logistics efficiency.
• Liaise with suppliers, customers and overseas offices.
• Assist with import and export activities where needed.
• Work alongside customs brokers and freight forwarders.

Inventory Management

• Maintain inventory accuracy above target KPI levels.
• Carry out cycle counts and annual stocktakes.
• Investigate stock variances and discrepancies.
• Monitor ageing inventory and damaged goods.
• Put inventory improvement measures in place.

Warehouse Systems

• Administer warehouse management systems.
• Work across ERP tools and customer portals.
• Process orders and manage retailer EDI workflows.
• Create warehouse reporting dashboards.
• Drive digital process improvements and automation.

Quality and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure warehouse activities follow GMP, HACCP and internal procedures.
• Maintain compliance for health supplements, cosmetics and skincare products.
• Protect traceability and batch control throughout operations.
• Manage quarantine and inbound inspection procedures.
• Keep all records and documentation complete and accurate.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture and maintain compliance.
• Meet WorkSafe Victoria requirements.
• Run toolbox talks and safety checks.
• Lead risk assessments and incident investigations.
• Oversee forklift safety, traffic control and pedestrian safety.
• Develop Safe Work Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure emergency equipment and first aid obligations are current.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train and develop warehouse staff.
• Lead daily team meetings and operational check-ins.
• Monitor performance and productivity.
• Build a strong, high-performance warehouse culture.
• Coach supervisors and team members.
• Prepare rosters in line with workload and business needs.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes.
• Reduce operating costs through lean methods.
• Improve warehouse KPI outcomes.
• Introduce best-practice warehousing approaches.
• Lead improvement projects across operations.
• Support business growth and warehouse expansion.

Experience and Skills

The ideal candidate will bring at least five years of experience managing warehouse and logistics operations, along with exposure to medium or large teams. A solid working knowledge of WMS platforms is essential, as is experience with ERP systems and EDI tools such as SPS Commerce.

You should also have strong inventory management capability, a sound grasp of transport and logistics operations, and a proven ability to build and refine warehouse processes and SOPs. Familiarity with WHS legislation, continuous improvement methods, and advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, will be important.

Strong leadership, communication, organisation and problem-solving skills are key. A current driver’s licence is required, and a forklift licence is preferred. Experience in health supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, FMCG or other regulated product environments will be viewed favourably.

Performance Measures

• Warehouse safety results
• Inventory accuracy
• DIFOT performance (delivery in full, on time)
• Order accuracy
• Picking productivity
• Warehouse space utilisation
• Customer service outcomes
• Team productivity
• Freight cost control
• Delivery of improvement initiatives

What’s on Offer

• A competitive salary package.
• Opportunity to advance within a growing global business.
• A chance to shape warehouse operations from the ground up.
• Support from a collaborative leadership team.
• A modern warehouse setting.
• Long-term career potential.
• Training and professional development support.

Application

Candidates who are experienced operational leaders and enjoy building efficient warehouse systems, developing teams and driving performance are encouraged to apply with a resume and a short cover letter summarising relevant experience.

Additional Information

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Employment is full-time and on-site. No specific salary figure, vacancy count, start date, duration or application deadline was provided.