Senior Prep Lead – AV, Audio & Special Effects
Location: North London
Department: Warehouse Operations
Reports to: Warehouse Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: £37,500 – £40,000 dependent on experience
Additional: Paid Overtime
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Senior Prep Lead to take ownership of preparing outgoing equipment for event productions and hires. This is primarily a hands-on practical prep role rather than a line-management position.
The main goal is to ensure jobs are prepared accurately and to the highest standards. You will personally prep most outgoing equipment, use Current RMS to support accurate stock allocation, and ensure orders are ready ahead of schedule and loaded onto the correct vehicles.
As the company continues to grow, this role has the potential to develop into a formal Prep Manager / team leadership position, with responsibility for training and overseeing additional prep staff.
About Us
We are one of Central London’s leading providers of event equipment and services. For over 30 years, we have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality event production support while creating valuable careers within the live events industry.
Key Responsibilities
Operational & Technical Prep
- Prepare outgoing equipment for event productions and hires, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Prep orders at least one day in advance wherever operationally possible, flagging workload, stock, or timing risks early.
- Ensure equipment, accessories, cables, cases, and loose items are present, functional, and packed correctly.
- Identify faulty, incomplete, or unsuitable equipment during prep, flag issues to the Warehouse Manager, and ensure affected items are processed correctly through quarantine procedures.
- Use practical equipment knowledge to sense-check compatibility, required accessories, and sensible kit combinations across AV, Audio, and Special Effects equipment.
- This role is not expected to carry out day-to-day equipment repair or servicing.
- Ensure outgoing jobs are prepped cleanly and logically so equipment is ready in line with loading plans and delivery schedules.
- Ensure orders leaving the warehouse are loaded safely and efficiently into dispatch vehicles.
Planning, Communication & Culture
- Support production and hire preps by working closely with relevant managers, querying unclear instructions and handling late alterations or last-minute orders.
- Spot wider prep risks early and challenge unclear or inaccurate prep lists constructively.
- Make practical recommendations wherever possible, including around availability, incorrect quantities, incompatible items, and suitable alternatives.
- Maintain calmness and clarity while dealing with pressured scenarios where prep issues could affect readiness or dispatch.
- Participate in logistical planning discussions around dispatch timing and sequencing.
- Embrace a collaborative, can-do culture where team members support each other across departments when needed.
Systems, Stock & Compliance
- Use Current RMS and warehouse scanning / stock processes to support accurate stock allocation and equipment handling.
- Follow stock allocation processes carefully to maintain stock accuracy, asset care, and loss prevention.
- Keep prep bays clean, organised, and reset after each dispatch.
- Ensure prep bays and working areas remain compliant with Health & Safety standards, including safe manual handling and good housekeeping.
Wider Responsibilities
- Take ownership of prep standards and help maintain a culture of prepping early.
- Contribute ideas for improving prep efficiency, accessory accuracy, stock usage, and prep bay discipline.
- Support a no-blame, improvement-focused culture by identifying repeat issues and helping prevent recurrence.
- Support training and onboarding of future prep staff as the team expands.
What Success Looks Like
- Confidently preparing the majority of jobs independently within the first three months.
- Using Current RMS accurately and following stock allocation processes confidently.
- Orders consistently prepped at least one day in advance.
- Prep bays kept clean, organised, and ready for the next job.
- Reduction in missing accessories, late prep, and avoidable prep-list issues through careful checking and early communication.
- Maintaining a consistently high level of prep accuracy.
Required Skills & Experience
- Previous experience preparing equipment across both production and dry-hire environments.
- Practical working knowledge across Audio, AV, and Special Effects equipment.
- Confidence using warehouse scanning, barcoding, or asset-management systems; experience with Current RMS preferred but not essential.
- Excellent attention to detail and a strong quality-control mindset.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work quickly while keeping prep bays tidy and controlled.
- Confidence challenging unclear or inaccurate prep lists in a calm, practical, and constructive manner.
- A proactive, solution-focused approach.
- Physically fit and comfortable with manual handling in a warehouse environment.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Working knowledge of prepping LED screens.
- Previous informal coaching or training experience within an AV or event-equipment warehouse.
What We Offer
- A collaborative, hands-on team culture within a growing events business.
- Ownership of a critical part of event and hire delivery operations.
- Exposure to a wide range of high-spec AV, audio, LED, and special effects equipment.
- Ongoing technical development, with potential progression into a future Prep Manager / team leadership role.
- Paid overtime and support during peak event periods.
How to Apply
Please email your CV and a short summary outlining why you would be a great fit for the role.
In your application, please briefly cover:
- Your UK live events / AV experience
- The equipment disciplines you are strongest in
- Any experience with warehouse prep, Current RMS or similar stock systems, dry hire, production prep, or LED screen prep
Please note:
- Applicants must be UK-based with proven UK experience within the live events / AV industry.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
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