Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Key Achievements
Timeline
Generic

Tom Watson

Interim Head of Department
Warrington

Summary

Interim Head of Department leading budget control, labour planning, and multi-shift operations to protect CPU and operational margin. Directs leadership development, succession planning, and HR case management across a large workforce while keeping 100% safety audit compliance and a >95% GWP audit rating. Serves as the senior point of contact for brand clients and executive stakeholders, driving RCA and continuous improvement in a warehouse setting.

Overview

2027
2027
years of professional experience

Work History

Interim Head of Department

THG Ingenuity
01.2025 - Current
  • Operational & Financial Leadership: Drive departmental budget execution, resource planning, and labour allocation to maintain strict Cost Per Unit (CPU) control, indirect task minimization, and targeted operational margin.
  • Large-Scale Team & Talent Management: Direct workforce operations across multi-shift patterns; lead succession planning (9-Box grid), leadership development, complex HR/ER case management, and agency labour performance.
  • Site Safety, Compliance & Quality: Accountable for departmental Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards, maintain a >95% Good Warehouse Practice (GWP) audit rating, drive 100% safety audit compliance, and oversee BRCGS and IOSH regulatory frameworks.
  • Service Level Agreements & Delivery: Consistently hit and exceed core operational KPIs, SLAs, and customer satisfaction metrics; direct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and countermeasures for service gaps.
  • Continuous Improvement (CI): Establish a "Right First Time" operational culture using Lean/Sigma frameworks to target waste reduction, improve department Sigma scores, minimize shrinkage, and drive process enhancements within Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
  • Cross-Functional & Client Relations: Serve as the primary senior operational point-of-contact for high-profile external brand clients and internal executive stakeholders; assume total site authority and incident leadership in the absence of the Site Lead.

Shift Manager

THG Ingenuity
2014 - 2025
  • Led and motivated team of up to 40 staff during shifts, fostering positive and collaborative work environment to enhance morale and productivity.
  • Operational Oversight: Manage day-to-day operations, including staff scheduling, task assignments, and resource allocation. Implement and enforce operational protocols to ensure smooth workflow and adherence to standards.
  • Set and monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) for team, conducting regular performance reviews and providing constructive feedback to promote continuous improvement and address training needs.
  • Customer Service Focus: Maintain a customer-centric approach, ensuring exceptional service delivery during each shift. Address customer inquiries, concerns, and feedback promptly and effectively.
  • Problem-Solving: Proactively identify and resolve operational challenges to minimize disruptions. Implement strategic solutions to optimize efficiency and overcome obstacles.
  • Facilitated clear communication channels between team members, management, and departments, relaying important information and updates effectively during shifts.
  • Adaptability: Navigate and adapt to changing circumstances, making informed decisions to maintain operational continuity. Handle unforeseen challenges with composure and efficiency.
  • Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures, conducting regular checks and inspections. Implement measures to improve and maintain the overall quality of work during shifts.
  • Training and Development: Provide ongoing training to team members on processes, procedures, and customer service. Identify opportunities for skill development and mentorship within the team.

Progressed through foundational operational roles within THG Ingenuity, gaining hands-on expertise across warehouse operations, inbound, picking/packing lines, inventory control, and team supervision.

Education

High School Diploma -

Warrington Collegiate
Warrington, United Kingdom
07.2012

Skills

Leadership & Team Management

Logistics Operations Knowledge

Problem Solving & Decision-Making

Communication & Coordination

Time Management & Efficiency

Budget management

Workforce planning

Health, safety & environmental compliance

IOSH Certification

Lean Six Sigma - White Belt

KPI management

Continuous improvement

Key Achievements

  • 56% Improvement in On-Time In Full Performance for B2B shipments, adapting our B2B Operational Model to utilise the automation and improve efficiencies – becoming the Global standard for B2B throughout the Group.
  • £64k per annum savings and reducing order delivery times from 72 hours to 24-48 hours, building in-house processes to support Commercial Invoice creation within the operation
  • Multiple site/departmental set up over a 10 year period, moving from manual, semi-auto all the way up to fully automated sites

Timeline

Interim Head of Department

THG Ingenuity
01.2025 - Current

Shift Manager

THG Ingenuity
2014 - 2025

High School Diploma -

Warrington Collegiate
Tom WatsonInterim Head of Department