Depot Manager - Basingstoke

McQueens Dairies; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in Basingstoke is seeking a Depot Manager to oversee depot performance and ensure that operational standards are maintained. You will lead a team of drivers and staff, focusing on health and safety, financial control, and employee training. The ideal candidate will have management experience in the dairy or food distribution sector, excellent leadership skills, and be IOSH certified. This role offers a hands-on approach to managing team dynamics and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Background in dairy, food or drinks distribution preferred.
• Management/Leadership experience in a nightshift operation.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office Applications (Excel, Word).

Responsibilities

• Oversee depot performance and workplace organisation.
• Manage and coach a team of drivers and staff.
• Drive health and safety culture within the depot.
• Maintain distribution costs in line with budget.

Skills

Management

Health & Safety

Coaching

Team Leadership

Financial Control

Education

Management/Leadership experience

IOSH certification

Tools

MS Office Applications

Job description

Ideal for someone who is looking for the next stage in their managerial development this position would suit those Assistant Managers / Senior Team Leaders within a logistics/distribution background. The ideal candidate is hands on when needed and able to manage the overall performance, workplace organisation, annual budget and functionality of the depot facility. Leading a team of drivers, stores staff, team leaders who you will work closely with and are able. Coach and Develop: With an eye for detail and a flexible approach to meet the needs of the business, you must be able to demonstrate that you have a drive to attain and maintain excellent standards. Ensuring that our teams provide the outstanding service expected and that all our deliveries are completed safely, successfully and on time.

Responsibilities

• + Health & Safety + Learning & Development + Customer Services + Financial Control + Facilities Management + Despatch + Human Resources Operations + Transport
• Engage with colleagues in the depot keeping morale levels high and understanding where improvements can be made. Motivating all staff by coaching and mentoring them through challenges and celebrating success.
• Organise and control the induction and ongoing training of all employees in conjunction with our Learning & Development team.
• Maintain good operating standards using 5S disciplines.
• Manage a depot level Profit and Loss centre. Keep distribution costs and overheads in line with budget.
• Fully explain any processes, changes or developments within the business to all staff through notice boards and meetings.
• Drive great culture and performance with the guideline of assigned KPI's.
• Deliver system and IT enhancements at the local depot aligned to the business IT system strategy.

Key Areas: Health & Safety

• Drive a proactive H&S leadership culture with Gemba Walks, safety audits and behavioural observations being part of the norm.
• All accidents and injuries are recorded and reported to H&S team following the set guidelines.
• All manual handling training is carried out prior to equipment use and signed off by management.
• Assess any risk and ensure safe systems of work are in place and adhered to, providing training and reassurance when needed.

Depot Team performance – Review the following key points using a balanced scorecard approach which directly relate to depot and driver performance

• Customer complaints
• Driver Messages
• Driving Scores
• Bottle Returns
• Delivery issues/GPS Co-ordinates
• Run Efficiency
• New Business
• Provide effective training and inductions to all staff and ensure any training practices are carried out to our standards of service excellence.
• Have regular conversations and listen to all staff, taking their comments on board and driving change with involvement.
• Responsibly manage staff holidays without compromise to the operation.

Depot Processes

• All stock recon and controls are recorded accurately, and old stock is rotated to avoid waste.
• To ensure that the stores staff can have orders picked on time prior to the drivers' arrival.
• Controls are in place to safely allow the movement of staff and vehicles without overcrowding in the depot and in the yard.
• Good standard of housekeeping is maintained, and any works need carried out are reported and actioned.
• Maintain the cold chain by ensuring all doors are closed and that the product only leaves the chill when loading is permitted.

Vehicle Fleet Management

• Communicate effectively with Transport team to ensure all faults and repairs are carried out as soon as possible.
• Full accident reporting processes are carried out (including getting third party details).
• High standards of vehicle hygiene are followed.
• Fuel and Ad-Blue logs are kept accurate and up to date.

Regulatory

• Manage the facility in accordance with H&S regulations and technical food safety standards.
• All paperwork is disposed, scanned or secured in line with GDPR.

Qualifications

• Background in dairy, food or drinks distribution preferred.
• Management/Leadership experience in a nightshift operation.
• Exposure to Food safety audit standards such as BRC - desired
• IOSH certified - desiredExcellent knowledge of MS Office Applications (Excel, Word) INDLP3