Workforce Planning Manager (DC / Logistics)
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
The role of Workforce Planning Manager (DC / Logistics) is accountable for defining and delivering the warehouse labour strategy, ensuring the right mix of permanent and agency resource to meet demand efficiently, compliantly, and sustainably. The role leads labour planning, agency workforce management, supplier governance, and cost control across all shifts, with authority to challenge decisions that do not align with forecast demand, cost efficiency, or governance standards.
Quest Search & Selection are partnering with a leading international branded & own label fashion, lifestyle & entertainment brand. This business compromise of a multi-channel offer, which is available in-store, via 3 parties and online.
The roles and responsibilities of this Workforce Planning Manager (DC / Logistics)role:
- Own and continuously optimise the warehouse labor model to align with demand and operational efficiency.
- Develop accurate labour forecasts based on volume, seasonality, and business trends.
- Make commercially sound headcount decisions to balance cost and service levels.
- Reduce reliance on agency labour through structured, long-term workforce planning.
- Drive agency performance through clear expectations, KPIs, and regular reviews.
- Improve cost visibility and ensure full transparency across labour spend.
- Partner closely with Operations and Finance to align on budgets and performance targets.
- Lead forward planning for peak and seasonal periods to ensure readiness.
- Ensure all suppliers align with company standards, policies, and expectations.
- Monitor compliance, conduct, and performance across all agency partners.
To be successful in this Workforce Planning Manager (DC / Logistics) role:
- Ideally has experience in labour planning or resource management
- Must have experience within high-volume warehouse or logistics environments
- Demonstrates an operational background in recruitment, resourcing, or workforce planning, with experience in a management or leadership capacity, leading strategy alongside stakeholders
- Proven ability to manage large-scale agency labour in fast-paced operations, particularly within a temporary/agency-led workforce model
- Experience working with employment agencies, either from an in-house or agency perspective (both considered)
- Highly analytical, with advanced Excel and strong data skills
- Commercially astute, with sound judgement around cost, risk, and operational impact
- Top-line understanding of working with HR on ER (Employee Relations) matters relating to agency workforce to desirable but not essential
- Confident communicator, able to influence senior stakeholders and external suppliers
- Strong track record of holding suppliers accountable to KPIs and governance standards
Benefits of this Workforce Planning Manager (DC / Logistics) role:
- Head officed based (5 days in office)
- Subsidised café
- Free Parking
- Discount across all group
- Contributory pension
- Business LTIP goals
- Subsidised gym membership
This is a great opportunity for someone to move their career to join a well renowned retailer with a global presence. If you feel like you have the qualifications for this position, please apply with your updated CV today quoting the reference no. JO-
We request that candidates send their CV as a Microsoft Word document where possible.
Quest Search and Selection is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Highlight your warehouse/logistics experience prominently as this role specifically requires high-volume DC operations background
📊 Quantify your agency management results: 'Reduced agency costs by 25% while maintaining 98% service levels'
🎯 Emphasise Excel proficiency and data analysis skills as the role demands advanced analytical capabilities
🤝 Showcase examples of supplier governance and KPI accountability from your experience
🌐 Include seasonal/peak planning achievements as this is a key responsibility mentioned
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Optimised warehouse labour model for 450-person DC operation, reducing agency costs by 28% whilst maintaining 99.2% service levels during peak season
- •Developed labour forecasting system using Excel analytics, improving headcount accuracy by 35% across 3 shifts and seasonal variations
- •Led supplier governance programme for 8 employment agencies, implementing KPI framework that improved compliance rates to 96%
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Letter preview — tailored to Quest Search and Selection Ltd
Dear Hiring Manager,
Quest Search & Selection's Workforce Planning Manager role perfectly aligns with my expertise in labour planning and agency workforce management within high-volume logistics environments. My proven track record in supplier governance and advanced Excel skills directly match your requirements for optimising warehouse labour strategy.
My background in resource management has equipped me with the analytical capabilities and commercial acumen needed to balance cost efficiency with operational performance. I have successfully managed large-scale agency workforces during peak periods whilst maintaining strict governance standards and KPI accountability.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How do you build accurate labour forecasts using volume and seasonality data?
- ›What Excel functions and tools do you use for workforce planning analysis?
- ›How do you establish and monitor KPIs for agency suppliers?
- ›Describe your approach to optimising permanent vs agency workforce mix
- ›What methods do you use to ensure supplier compliance with governance standards?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you had to challenge a decision that didn't align with forecast demand
- ›Describe a situation where you reduced reliance on agency labour through strategic planning
- ›Give an example of how you influenced senior stakeholders on a workforce planning decision
- ›Tell me about a time you managed a large-scale agency workforce during peak periods
- ›Describe how you've held suppliers accountable when they weren't meeting expectations
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you had to challenge a decision that didn't align with forecast demand
Describe how you've held suppliers accountable when they weren't meeting expectations