Yard Manager

Lawsons is the UK’s largest independent supplier of timber, fencing, and building materials. With over 35 branches and 700+ colleagues across London and the South East, we deliver quality products, expert advice, and top-class customer service. We are recruiting for a Yard Manager to join our Acton branch to lead yard operations, maintain high standards of safety and service, and support the branch team.

Yard Manager Opportunity — Acton

Are you an organised, hands-on manager with experience in yard operations, logistics, or builders’ merchants? Do you take pride in maintaining safe, efficient working environments and delivering excellent customer service? This role offers the chance to manage yard activities, coach colleagues, and ensure smooth daily operations within a busy local branch of a respected national business.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate all yard activities, including loading, unloading and safe stacking of timber, fencing and building materials

• Lead, coach and develop yard operatives and drivers to deliver high standards of customer service and safe working practices

• Ensure effective stock control in the yard, including accurate recording of deliveries, returns and stock movements

• Maintain yard organisation and merchandising to present a tidy, customer-friendly environment for trade and retail customers

• Oversee vehicle loading procedures and work closely with drivers to ensure safe, compliant, and timely deliveries

• Implement and enforce health & safety procedures, completing routine checks, risk assessments and relevant paperwork

• Work with the branch management team to support local sales targets, promotions and operational improvements

• Assist with receiving deliveries, checking quality and quantity, and reporting any discrepancies or damage

• Carry out operational tasks as required, including operating forklifts/plant (where qualified), assisting at the counter and supporting peak periods

• Promote a positive team culture built on respect, safety and excellent customer care

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven supervisory or management experience within a builders’ merchants, distribution, or similar operational environment

• Strong knowledge of yard operations, stock control and safe material handling practices

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-focused approach

• Committed to health & safety best practice; familiar with completing checks, risk assessments and reporting incidents

• Competent in using IT systems for stock recording, yard scheduling and basic reporting; willingness to learn company systems

• Forklift counterbalance / telehandler certification desirable (or willingness to obtain)

• Reliable, flexible and able to work in a busy team with occasional early starts or Saturday mornings as required

Working Hours

This is a full-time, permanent position. 44.5 hours per week across Monday to Friday with 1 in 2 Saturday mornings working 08:00 -12:00.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary (£34,000 - £37,000), dependent on experience

• 25 days’ holiday plus UK Bank Holidays and an additional celebration day

• Pension scheme, Death in Service benefit, and Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to the “My Reward” platform including Online GP Access and wellbeing support

• Comprehensive onboarding and ongoing training with opportunities for career development

• Supportive, team-oriented culture within a leading independent supplier

Why Join Lawsons at Acton?

• Be part of the UK’s leading independent supplier of timber, fencing and building materials

• Work in a varied, hands-on role with scope to develop operational and leadership skills

• Contribute to a friendly local branch serving trade and retail customers

• Enjoy a positive workplace that values safety, customer service and colleague development #MP