Depot Operations Lead

KMC Recruitment; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

KMC Recruitment is seeking an experienced Depot Operations Lead to oversee the Reading depot's day-to-day yard, washbay and workshop operations, ensuring safety, quality and on-time delivery. You will manage and develop the operational team, coordinate with Hire Desk and Transport, implement consistent processes, and maintain stock accuracy to meet customer expectations.

This permanent role suits a hands-on leader with line-management experience in plant hire or construction, confident in

Qualifications

• Experience managing people within plant hire, construction or equipment rental.
• Organised, practical and able to manage a busy operation with changing priorities.
• Full UK driving license and eligibility to work in the UK.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day yard, washbay and workshop operations.
• Develop and address performance of the operational team.
• Ensure health & safety compliance and risk management.
• Plan workloads and coordinate with Hire Desk, Transport and customers.
• Maintain stock accuracy and monitor equipment readiness.
• Manage overtime within agreed budgets.
• Embed consistent processes across the depot.

Skills

Line management

Health & Safety

Planning

Organisational skills

Communication

Team leadership

Job description

We’re recruiting for an experienced Depot Operations Lead to join a well‑established business within the plant and hire sector at their Reading depot.

This is a varied role with responsibility for the day-to-day yard, washbay and workshop operations, making sure the depot runs safely, efficiently and in a controlled manner. You’ll also work closely with the Depot Management team, Hire Desk and Transport to make sure equipment is ready, orders go out on time and customers get the level of service they expect.

It’s a good opportunity for someone who already has experience managing people within plant, hire, construction or a similar operational environment and enjoys being involved in the day-to-day running of a busy depot.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the day-to-day yard, washbay and workshop operations
• Managing and developing the operational team, setting clear standards and addressing poor performance where necessary
• Ensuring a safe working environment and maintaining compliance with health and safety requirements
• Carrying out risk assessments and supporting continuous improvement across the depot
• Making sure stock quality is maintained to a high standard
• Monitoring equipment preparation and ensuring everything is ready within required timescales
• Controlling returned equipment, ensuring damage is identified, recorded and reported correctly
• Working closely with the Hire Desk to resolve customer issues and queries
• Planning workloads and providing direction to the team throughout the day
• Working with Operations, Transport and the customer to deal efficiently with delivery and fleet queries
• Maintaining accurate information around stock availability and movements
• Managing overtime within agreed budgets
• Supporting stock control for both products and consumable items
• Ensuring damage charges are captured and processed correctly
• Helping to embed consistent processes and standards across the depot

What we’re looking for

You’ll need previous line management experience, ideally within plant hire, construction, equipment rental or another operationally focused environment.

We’re looking for someone who is organised, practical and comfortable managing a busy operation where priorities can change quickly. You’ll need to be confident leading people, communicating across different teams and making sure things actually get done rather than disappearing into the mysterious corporate void of "someone is looking into it".

You’ll also need:

• Good knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Good planning and organisational ability
• A professional and customer-focused approach
• The ability to remain composed and make decisions in a busy environment
• A full UK driving licence
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Relevant Health & Safety qualifications and plant-related certification, such as CPCS, Plant Operator or FLT licences, would be advantageous but aren’t essential.

The package

Salary up to £38,000 depending on experience.

Hours are 07:45-16:30, Monday to Friday.

This is a permanent opportunity with an established business and would suit someone who enjoys running a hands‑on depot operation, developing a team and taking ownership of safety, quality, delivery and cost.