Driver Coach

Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension contributions

Discounts for retailers

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Charitable giving

Job summary

Allied Bakeries, part of Associated British Foods, is seeking a Driver Coach in Walthamstow, Greater London. You will coach drivers, ensure safety and legal compliance, and support development programs to enhance performance and customer service.

Reporting to Transport management, you will help reduce risk and drive efficiency across the fleet. The role emphasizes hands-on coaching, tachograph and time-keeping knowledge, and the ability to work across shifts, including nights.

Qualifications

• Safety-focused with a commitment to a safe working environment.
• Confident presenter and trainer with engaging coaching style.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational abilities.
• Self-motivated with the initiative to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Accompany drivers on routes to assess driving and give feedback on safety and compliance.
• Deliver engaging coaching sessions and maintain induction and development standards.
• Identify training needs and create targeted development plans.
• Promote a positive driving culture and improve performance.

Skills

Coaching & training

Safety & compliance

Communication

Planning & organizing

Excel

Issue resolution

Tools

PowerPoint

Digital reporting tools

Job description

Location: Walthamstow, Greater London

Allied Bakeries are owned by Associated British Foods. ABF is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £20.1bn and 138,000 employees in 56 countries. It has significant businesses in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Our sister companies in ABF UK Grocery produce products under many market-leading household brands, including Jordans, Ryvita, Pataks, Blue Dragon & Silver Spoon.

We are proud of our brands: we make top 10 UK grocery brand Kingsmill as well as Allinson’s and Sunblest. You’ll know us best through our white, wholemeal and seeded market-leading loaves, as well as Kingsmill 50/50, the nation’s favourite Healthier White, and our delicious pancakes, crumpets, hot cross buns and other bakery products.

The success of our business depends on us having the right people on the team. We are incredibly passionate about our business, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted – it’s pacey and demanding so our people need to have a positive attitude and to want to work inclusively. We take massive pride in what we do, not least in how colleagues based in our bakeries and depots have one of the best safety performance records in the industry.

Our Grocery Service Centre, based near Liverpool, is a hub for transactional activity across multiple ABF companies within the ABF Grocery division. Supporting some of our well-known brands such as Kingsmill, Pataks, Blue Dragon, Jordans, Ryvita and Silver Spoon, amongst others. We deliver Shared Service activities across a wide range of disciplines including Customer Services, Consumer Care, Finance, Payroll, HR and IS.

If you’re looking to join a business that is passionate, encourages you to be the best you can be, and values its people, we’d love to hear from you.

Overview Of Role

Location: Walthamstow, Greater London

Salary: £45,643

Hours: 45 hours per week, including early starts and night shifts, to provide support for all drivers.

Role Overview

As a Driver Coach, you will play a pivotal role in developing a highly skilled, safe, and compliant driving workforce. Reporting directly to the Transport Manager, with indirect reporting to the Transport Front Line Manager, you will support the Driver Assessor in delivering coaching, training, and development programmes that drive operational excellence.

Acting as a subject matter expert, you will work closely with drivers to enhance performance, promote a strong safety culture, and ensure full compliance with legal and company standards. Through effective coaching and mentoring, you will help drivers improve driving techniques, reduce operational risks, increase fuel efficiency, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Your expertise will cover:

• Safe and fuel-efficient driving
• Tachograph compliance and best practice
• Route and diversion management
• Manual handling techniques
• Satellite navigation and route planning
• Delivery point risk assessments
• Bridge strike prevention and vehicle awareness

Comprehensive assessment records and coaching documentation will be maintained to support continuous improvement and performance development.

Key Accountabilities

Driver Coaching & Development

• Accompany drivers on routes to conduct assessments and provide constructive feedback on driving style, behaviours, safety, and compliance.
• Deliver engaging coaching sessions that reinforce driver induction standards and ongoing development requirements.
• Identify training needs and create targeted development plans to improve performance and capability.
• Act as a role model, promoting a positive and professional driving culture across the operation.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring drivers consistently adhere to legal and company requirements.
• Provide expert coaching on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and transport legislation.
• Lead tachograph compliance coaching to reduce infringements and support driver understanding.
• Promote awareness of the Working Time Directive and its impact on driver wellbeing and compliance.
• Support Road Traffic Accident (RTA) investigations and contribute to corrective and preventative actions.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Produce detailed assessment reports and maintain accurate coaching records.
• Monitor manual handling activities and coach drivers on safe working practices.
• Support Front Line Managers with driver performance reviews and development discussions.
• Analyse driver behaviours and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute as a key member of the site steering team, supporting vehicle operations excellence.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

We are looking for a passionate and motivated individual who enjoys developing others and setting high standards.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Safety-focused, with a genuine commitment to creating a safe working environment.
• Confident presenter and trainer with an engaging coaching style.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities.
• Self-motivated with the initiative to work independently.
• Good awareness of diversity and inclusion, adapting coaching styles to meet individual needs.
• Exceptional attention to detail and record-keeping standards.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and digital reporting tools.
• Detailed knowledge of transport compliance and driver legislation.
• Hold a valid C+E Driving Licence.
• Minimum of 2 years' commercial driving experience within a fast-paced FMCG, logistics, or distribution environment.

What's In It For You

We believe in rewarding our people, and that’s why we offer an outstanding package of benefits, including:

• Competitive Salary: £42,261.97 per year
• 29 Days Annual Leave – Enjoy your well-earned breaks!
• Up to 10% Employer Pension Contributions (including Life Assurance)
• ‘Extra Slice’ Benefits Scheme – Discounts at over 500 retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Curry’s, and more!
• Electric Car/ Cycle to Work Scheme – Get a great bike deal to help with your commute
• Family-Friendly & Flexible Working Options – Supporting your work-life balance
• Employee Assistance Programme – Free & confidential support for financial, legal, and personal matters
• Charitable Giving – Be part of our partnership with Save the Children and give back through payroll donations