Control Room Manager

The Control Room Manager plays a critical role in ensuring smooth, safe and efficient operation of the automated warehouse environment at Portbury. The role spans two phases:

• Project Phase (Pre-Go-Live): Supporting design, testing and commissioning activities as the business transitions to new automated systems.
• Operational Phase (Post-Go-Live): Managing real-time system performance, resolving issues, analysing data and maintaining effective communication across operational and technical teams.

This position is central to maintaining system uptime, ensuring accurate material flow, and providing first-line support to Operations, Engineering and IT.

This role is based at our UK Distribution Centre in Portbury BS20 7XT.  Due to the location, a driving licence and access to your own transport are essential. 

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.

Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

Project Phase (Pre-Go-Live)

• Participate in project planning sessions and provide operational input for system design and configuration.
• Work with SAP EWM specialists and automation vendors to validate system integration.
• Support FAT, SAT and UAT testing cycles.
• Help develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the control room.
• Provide feedback on system performance during commissioning and prepare for operational handover.

Operational Phase (Post-Go-Live)

Control Room Management

• Monitor material flow and system performance using WMS/EWM dashboards and automation interfaces.
• Act as first-line support for operational teams, resolving system or process-related issues quickly.
• Maintain accurate incident logs and escalate unresolved items to Engineering or IT.

System Performance & Issue Resolution

• Ensure automated systems operate within the expected performance parameters.
• Collaborate with Engineering and IT to diagnose and fix technical faults.
• Implement safe temporary workarounds during downtime.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Produce accurate reports for DMS and SIC processes.
• Analyse downtime, incidents and system trends to identify root causes and opportunities for improvement.
• Work with the Continuous Improvement Manager on enhancement initiatives.

Stakeholder Communication

• Act as the link between Operations, Engineering, IT and Project teams.
• Provide timely and clear updates on system status and incident resolution.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of automated warehouse systems and material flow processes.
• Experience working with SAP EWM and system integration environments.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting and problem‑solving capability.
• Confidence working under pressure in a fast-paced, high‑volume environment.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (Excel, BI dashboards).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Essential

• Due to the location, a driving licence and access to your own transport are essential. 

Preferred

• Experience in cold store or temperature‑controlled operations.
• Knowledge of Continuous Improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma).

Key Competencies

• Analytical thinking and sound decision-making under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross‑functionally.
• Adaptability and resilience in periods of change or system challenges.

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• 33 days holiday per year, including bank holidays (which are considered a normal working day)
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
• Free meals, snacks and beverages on site
• Free parking
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.
Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.