Summary of Role:

As the Returns Supervisor you will be playing a pivotal role within the operations of the company and be responsible for, but not limited to:

• The overall supervision of the department and technicians within the department to include agency staff, lighting technicians and trainees.
• Encourage an ethos of continual improvement and development of the department.
• Training responsibilities for the technicians within the department to ensure all technicians can complete all responsibilities to a high standard. Ensuring the inbound stock is captured and the flow of equipment back to departments is accurate, efficient and safe.
• Responsible for ensuring all missing and damaged equipment being returned is recorded and channelled to the appropriate departments where necessary.
• Responsible for ensuring jobs are closed down correctly ensuring timeframes and all information is reported back to the sales team within given time frames.
• Liaise with distribution team to organise trucks to be dropped and collected from the loading bay, ensuring that the identity of each inbound delivery is accurately identified.
• Ensure vehicles are unloaded completely and all load straps stay with the trucks.
• Demonstrating a positive approach to the company whilst reacting to the high demands of the business.
• Ability to manage workload efficiently and meet strict deadlines whilst adhering to the priorities of the business.
• Manage returning rental stock effectively to ensure smooth flow of equipment around the department.
• Originating and contributing to documentation for training purposes, to include procedures and competency skillsets.

Supervision of technicians:

• Ensuring there is always appropriate cover across all shifts within the department and that those providing the cover are suitably trained.
• To lead by example and set a high standard of professionalism with time keeping, starting at the place of work for shifts and completion of tasks.
• To escalate potential breaches of conduct and areas of concern to the Equipment Control Manager.
• To ensure all staff are fully trained to fulfil all roles within the department and to continuously review all existing team member’s competences and where required, retrain to ensure correct use of systems, correct handling of equipment and understanding of all relevant procedures.
• To highlight individuals for potential areas of upskilling within the department and across other areas of the business.
• Hold weekly tool box talks with the department’s technicians and ensure relevant documentation/record of those are kept on file.
• Leading by example, ensure allocated breaks are adhered to at all times, referring any consistent offenders to the Equipment Control Manager.
• Ensure scanners utilised within the department are controlled accurately, maintained and the correct log ins are used at all times.
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism at all times, communicating calmly and respectfully to Technicians, colleagues and managers. Escalate any issues or concerns in a timely and constructive manner to the Equipment Control Manager.

Health and Safety:

• To ensure all health and safety policies are followed by all technicians within the department including manual handling, use of mechanical handling equipment and safe unloading procedures.
• At all times maintain clear pedestrian and evacuation routes through the department.
• Escalate areas of concern through the right channels.
• To manage the area within the department to ensure that all health and safety policies are followed such as fire evacuation procedures and accident/near miss reporting.
• Leading by example, ensure the latest company procedures relating to COVID control measures and self-testing regimes are adhered to at all times within your team, including mask wearing, Lateral Flow Testing and the use of yellow and red cards.

Returns Quality Control:

• Ensure all sub hire equipment is tagged when unloaded with correct date, production and job number.
• To have a strong attention to detail, ensuring all equipment is inspected thoroughly and checked in following the correct procedures.
• Communicate with other areas of the business such as the repairs and inventory departments to arrange internal transfers in both directions.
• Communicate with the operations team and equipment co-ordinators to expedite stock they are short of.
• To ensure all non-coded equipment is taken out of service to be coded in conjunction with the inventory team’s availability to do so.
• Manage the movement and storage of equipment within the returns area.
• Supervise the scanning team to ensure flow of goods into and out of the scanning and checking area is controlled correctly.
• Work with the account handlers to communicate returns status of Jobs and work to accurately report all missing items in an accurate and timely manner.
• Work with the sub hire coordinator to ensure sub hire is managed effectively in and out of the business, minimising late returns and ensuring sub hire status is accurately tracked.
• To ensure cover is provided when necessary for the receiving of all goods in, recording deliveries and informing the correct recipients in real time.
• Liaise with equipment departments to calculate when stocks need replenishing and when no further stock can be received.
• Work with the Operational Management team on overflow strategies.
• To set out processes and systems relating to the department for technicians to follow.
• To develop the storage solutions to improve asset management and controls.

Person specification

• Must be IT literate with a good understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Able to learn the MBS stock control inventory system (Rental tracker Pro).
• Must be able to confidently communicate with clients receiving instruction and giving advice.
• Be able to build strong working relationships with colleagues.
• To be able to work under pressure and to challenging deadlines.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Self-motivating and organising with the ability to plan workload keep track of multiple jobs.
• Experience in the lighting industry is essential.

Additional considerations

Part of the role may involve taking of project briefs and working autonomously to fulfil them, for example during department moves, stock takes and audits.  Working as part of the wider warehouse team, if needed to cover absences, high workloads and unforeseen circumstances.

Weekend and extended hours working is required as the business demands.  We work to a highly skilled clientele who demand high levels of service and response.

About the Company

MBS Equipment Company is a world leading provider of lighting equipment and associated facilities to the film and television production industry, including the exclusive supply of service and support at Shepperton Studios and Pinewood’s UK Studios.

The salary for the role is competitive, depending on experience.  We also provide a range of other great benefits, including 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, private health insurance, great pension scheme, life insurance and an annual discretionary bonus scheme.