Night Shift Dispatch Manager

Job Title

Night Shift Dispatch Manager

Location

Central Manchester, UK
(On-site role)

Employment Type

Full-Time, Permanent
Night shift role — flexibility required to meet operational demand. May include weekend shifts.

Salary - £36k-£38k

Role Summary

My client is looking for an experienced and highly organised Night Shift Dispatch Manager to manage all dispatch operations during the night shift.

This is a key operational role responsible for ensuring customer orders are picked, checked, loaded and dispatched accurately and on time. You’ll lead the night dispatch team, coordinate with transport and drivers, manage loading priorities, and ensure high standards of safety, quality, efficiency and stock control are maintained throughout the shift.

The role would suit a hands-on dispatch, logistics or warehouse professional with strong leadership skills and experience working in a fast-paced FMCG, bakery, food manufacturing or distribution environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all dispatch operations during the night shift, ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of finished goods out of the bakery
• Ensure customer orders are picked, checked, loaded and dispatched accurately and on time
• Manage loading schedules, dispatch priorities and route requirements in line with operational demand
• Supervise, motivate and lead dispatch operatives, loaders and forklift drivers during the shift
• Allocate duties across the dispatch team to ensure workload is managed effectively
• Coordinate with transport teams, drivers and internal departments to support timely deliveries
• Ensure all dispatch documentation, order checks and handover information are completed accurately
• Maintain high standards of health, safety, hygiene and housekeeping across the dispatch area
• Control stock movement and ensure FIFO rotation is followed correctly
• Monitor order accuracy, shortages, picking errors and loading issues, taking corrective action where required
• Support labour planning and ensure resources are used efficiently throughout the shift
• Provide clear shift handovers to the Night Shift Manager, Operations Manager and relevant day teams
• Escalate operational issues, staffing concerns, stock discrepancies or service risks promptly
• Drive continuous improvement across dispatch accuracy, efficiency, safety and team performance

Key Performance Indicators

Order accuracy

On-time dispatch performance

Error and shortage rates

Labour efficiency

Health and safety compliance

FIFO compliance and stock control accuracy

Team performance and shift productivity

Quality of shift handovers and issue escalation

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Previous experience in dispatch, logistics, warehouse or goods-out operations
• Experience supervising or managing a team in a fast-paced operational environment
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage loading schedules, priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure and make clear decisions during a busy night shift operation
• Excellent attention to detail, particularly around order accuracy, stock movement and dispatch documentation
• Strong communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with drivers, transport teams and internal departments
• Good understanding of health and safety standards within a warehouse, manufacturing or logistics environment
• Confident managing people, allocating work and maintaining team performance standards
• Flexible approach to working hours in line with night shift and operational requirements

Desirable:

• Experience within an FMCG, bakery or food manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of FIFO stock rotation and traceability requirements
• Experience working with short-shelf-life or time-sensitive products
• Forklift licence or previous experience working around forklift operations
• Experience using warehouse, dispatch, stock control or order management systems
• Understanding of food safety, hygiene and quality standards within a production environment

Personal Attributes

Reliable, proactive and hands-on

Strong leader with the ability to motivate and organise a night shift team

Calm under pressure and able to meet tight deadlines

Highly organised with excellent attention to detail

Clear and confident communicator

Practical, solutions-focused and willing to support the team directly when required

Committed to maintaining a safe, clean and efficient working environment

Accountable for team performance, dispatch accuracy and operational standards

Ready to take ownership of a busy night dispatch operation and lead a team that plays a vital role in getting quality bakery products to customers on time?

Apply today to join as our Night Shift Dispatch Manager and become part of a long-established local business with a strong reputation for quality, reliability and community.