Workers at a supermarket warehouse have been told their jobs are under threat as bosses have shifted much of their work to new locations in the Midlands.

Some 50 management staff at the Waitrose regional distribution centre in Aylesford were called into meetings on Tuesday and told of proposals which could leave them out of work.

The supermarket is trying to streamline operations after reducing the amount of goods stored and sent out from the 40-acre site, following the launch of a national warehouse in Milton Keynes last year.

Under the proposals, which are now under consultation with staff, it aims to create 42 roles in place of the existing positions, potentially with new pay structures and job titles.

It said the suggested changes at the regional warehouse off Forstal Road, which employs 887 people, are necessary to “bring the structures at each of its centres in line”.

No timescale has been put on the proposals so far.

Waitrose distribution director Stephen Hider said: “We will be meeting with each Aylesford partner potentially affected over the coming weeks to discuss the proposal and ensure they receive all the support they need.

“Our aim is to retain as many partners who wish to remain with the business as possible.”

It comes as Waitrose, which is owned by John Lewis, the largest employee-owned retailer in Britain, revealed revenues excluding fuel were up 7.1% to £125.9 million in the week to September 10, compared to the same time last year.

Finance director Loraine Woodhouse said the warm temperatures had driven sales of traditional summer products like barbecue meat, up 9%, and ice cream, up 22%.

Sales at John Lewis were up 9.1% to £82.7 million in the same week, as “delayed Back to School demand came through”.

Waitrose opened its Aylesford distrubution centre in 2007 after buying the site from Morrisons in 2006.