Depot Front Line Manager

Hovis Bakeries; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme up to 10%

Simplyhealth cash plan

Salary Finance

Life Assurance

Electric Car Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Extra savings/discount platform

Job summary

Hovis Bakeries in Gateshead is seeking a Depot Front Line Manager to lead our night operation across despatch and transport. You’ll oversee a team of around 28 colleagues, including 14 Despatch Operatives and 14 delivery drivers, and stay visible on the floor to keep the operation moving.

You’ll drive performance, coach and develop your people, ensure compliance with Hours, Tachograph, Operator Licence, and safety requirements, and continuously look for improvements to protect service quality.

Qualifications

• Experience leading despatch and driver teams.
• Knowledge of Drivers’ Hours, Tachograph and Operator Licence.
• Ability to manage night-time depot operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead despatch and driver teams to deliver a safe, reliable operation.
• Oversee the night-time depot operation and loading of routes.
• Maintain high standards for safety, compliance and food safety.
• Monitor performance, attendance and productivity and take action.
• Develop team through regular coaching and feedback.
• Identify and implement process improvements across transport and despatch.
• Resolve operational issues to protect customer service.
• Collaborate with planning, manufacturing and other teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Coaching

People management

Job description

Requisition ID4233-Posted16/09/2026- Region (1) - Job Category (5) -Permanent-Full Time- Company (1)

Lead a team that keeps our operation moving

At Hovis Bakeries, home to some of the UK’s best-loved bread brands, our logistics teams play a vital role in getting our products to customers safely, efficiently and on time.

We’re looking for a Depot Front Line Manager to join our Gateshead team and lead our night operation across both despatch and transport.

This is a hands‑on operational leadership role where you’ll lead a team of around 28 colleagues, including:

• 14 Despatch Operatives
• 14 Class 1 and Class 2 Delivery Drivers

You’ll be visible on the floor, supporting your team, solving problems and making sure the operation runs smoothly throughout the night. Just as importantly, you’ll create an environment where people feel supported, know what’s expected of them and can perform at their best.

What you’ll be doing

Leading the team – motivating, coaching and developing our despatch and driver teams to deliver a safe, reliable and efficient operation.

Keeping everything moving – overseeing the night‑time depot operation and ensuring routes are accurately loaded and ready to leave on time.

Maintaining high standards – ensuring compliance with Drivers’ Hours, Tachograph, Operator Licence, Health & Safety and food safety requirements.

Managing performance – monitoring key measures including service, safety, compliance, attendance and productivity, and taking action where needed.

Developing your people – providing regular feedback, coaching and support to help colleagues build their capability and progress.

Making things better – identifying opportunities to improve the way we work and supporting continuous improvement across transport and despatch.

Solving problems – responding to operational challenges and making timely decisions to minimise disruption and protect customer service.

Working together – building effective relationships with colleagues across planning, manufacturing and other teams to keep the end‑to‑end operation running smoothly.

Supporting your team day to day – carrying out return‑to‑work meetings, investigations, performance conversations and other people‑management activities when required.

What we’re looking for

We’re proud to offer a competitive reward package and a culture that supports growth, wellbeing and development.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary of £46,355
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Employee Recognition Programme celebrating safety and living our values
• Pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance
• Simplyhealth cash plan, helping you cover the cost of everyday healthcare expenses, including dental, optical and physiotherapy treatments
• Salary Finance, providing access to financial wellbeing tools, savings options and responsible borrowing solutions
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/8 support, legal and financial advice, and access to the My Healthy Advantage wellbeing app
• Electric Car Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Extra Slice employee discount platform, offering savings at over 500 retailers

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Hovis Bakeries, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can succeed.

Aim High | Work Together | I Do What I Say | Everybody Matters