Fleet Engineering Manager

Gist Limited; Enfield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% M&S discount

25 days’ annual leave + holidays

Discounted healthcare

Private Medical Insurance

Annual bonus scheme

Pension contribution

Wellbeing and employee assistance

Induction and training programmes

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Gist Limited in Enfield is recruiting an experienced Fleet Engineering Manager to lead the VMU, fleet and MHE operations at the Enfield site. You will shape engineering strategy, drive safety and reliability, and manage budgets and contractor relations.

You will engage with site leadership to improve service levels, ensure compliance, and develop a high-performing engineering team across shifts. This role offers influence and growth within a major logistics operation.

Qualifications

• Recognition of engineering qualification (City & Guilds, HNC, HND or higher).
• Experience managing engineering budgets and financial performance.
• Strong knowledge of fleet compliance and vehicle maintenance standards.
• Experience managing third‑party suppliers and contractors.
• Experience working within a unionised environment.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the Enfield VMU, fleet and MHE operation, ensuring legal, safety and Gist standards are consistently maintained.
• Lead the continued development of the VMU, identifying opportunities to improve safety, capability, standards, equipment and facilities.
• Lead and support the engineering team, ensuring the right resources, skills and shift coverage are in place to meet operational requirements.
• Develop and deliver improvement plans across people, safety, service, standards and financial performance.
• Oversee fleet servicing and maintenance planning, ensuring activity aligns with fleet requirements and peak demand periods.
• Manage service levels across the engineering operation, ensuring the VMU provides a reliable and effective service to the wider site.
• Take ownership of engineering budgets and financial performance, using data and insight to identify opportunities and drive action.
• Maintain oversight of compliance activity, audits and regular checks, addressing risks.
• Manage third‑party contractors and suppliers, ensuring performance, service quality and compliance expectations are met.
• Work with site leadership and engineering colleagues to improve service and site performance.
• Participate in site safety and operational meetings, contributing engineering insight to decisions.
• Provide cover for the Vehicle Service Manager when required.

Skills

Fleet engineering

VMU management

MHE operations

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Unionised environment experience

Education

Engineering qualification (City & Guilds / HNC / HND or higher)

Job description

Fleet Engineering Manager - (FEM.1.EN.1)

At Gist, we're proud to be part of the M&S Group, the logistics engine behind M&S Food.

From our distribution centres to our transport operations and support functions, we connect people, technology and expertise to ensure the right products reach the right stores at the right time.

As we continue to invest in our people, technology and network, there's never been a more exciting time to join Gist and help shape the future of food logistics.

Following an internal promotion, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Fleet Engineering Manager to join our team at Enfield and take ownership of our Vehicle Maintenance Unit (VMU), fleet and Material Handling Equipment (MHE).

This is a key leadership role within a busy logistics operation, combining the day-to-day management of our engineering function with the opportunity to shape how the VMU, fleet and MHE operation develops over the longer term.

You’ll work closely with the UK Engineering Manager, Site General Manager and wider site leadership team to ensure we continue to deliver a safe, compliant and reliable engineering operation, while identifying opportunities to improve our people, processes, equipment and overall performance.

For someone who enjoys being close to the operation but also wants the scope to lead change, develop a team and influence the future direction of engineering, there’s plenty to get involved in.

What you'll be doing

As Fleet Engineering Manager, you will:

• Take overall responsibility for the Enfield VMU, fleet and MHE operation, ensuring legal, safety and Gist standards are consistently maintained.
• Lead the continued development of the VMU, identifying opportunities to improve safety, capability, standards, equipment and facilities.
• Lead and support the engineering team, ensuring the right resources, skills and shift coverage are in place to meet operational requirements.
• Develop and deliver improvement plans across people, safety, service, standards and financial performance.
• Oversee fleet servicing and maintenance planning, ensuring activity is aligned to fleet requirements and periods of peak operational demand.
• Manage service levels across the engineering operation, ensuring the VMU provides a reliable and effective service to the wider site.
• Take ownership of engineering budgets and financial performance, using data and insight to identify opportunities and drive action.
• Maintain strong oversight of compliance activity, audits and regular checks, ensuring risks are identified and addressed.
• Manage third-party contractors and suppliers, ensuring performance, service quality and compliance expectations are met.
• Work collaboratively with site leadership, operational teams and engineering colleagues across Gist to improve service and overall site performance.
• Play an active role in site safety and operational meetings, bringing engineering expertise and insight to wider business decisions.
• Provide cover for the Vehicle Service Manager when required, ensuring continuity across the operation.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact. You’ll have the scope to build on the work already underway at Enfield, bring new ideas to the operation and help shape how our engineering capability develops for the future.

What we're looking for

To be successful in your application, you’ll have strong experience within a fleet engineering, vehicle maintenance or similar engineering environment, with experience managing a Vehicle Maintenance Unit (VMU), fleet operation and Material Handling Equipment (MHE).

You’ll bring strong technical knowledge and the ability to identify and assess engineering issues and potential risks, turning these into practical solutions and improvement plans. You’ll also be comfortable balancing engineering priorities with the wider commercial and operational needs of a busy logistics site.

You’ll be a confident leader who can engage and develop teams, build strong relationships across different functions and influence stakeholders at all levels of the business.

You will also have:

• A recognised engineering qualification such as City & Guilds, HNC, HND or higher.
• Experience managing engineering budgets and financial performance.
• Strong knowledge of fleet compliance and vehicle maintenance standards.
• Experience managing third-party suppliers and contractors.
• Experience working within a unionised environment.

If you're an experienced fleet engineering leader who wants the opportunity to take real ownership, develop an operation and play a key role in shaping its future, we'd love to hear from you.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working pattern: Monday to Friday
Location: Gist Limited, Brancroft Way, Enfield, EN3 7QP
Contract: Permanent, full time

What’s in it for you?

As well as a competitive package, you'll benefit from:

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with length of service
• Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
• Private Medical Health Insurance
• Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance of up to four times salary
• Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first-class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to support your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Why Gist?

When you join Gist, you're joining a business that plays a critical role within the M&S Group.

You'll have the opportunity to influence meaningful change, work alongside experienced leaders and contribute to one of the UK's leading food supply chains.

Our culture is built around our values of being Progressive, Accountable, Collaborative and Ethical, creating an environment where people are trusted, supported and encouraged to grow.

Whether you're leading a site operation, delivering transformation or shaping future strategy, your work will make a real difference.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Gist, we believe our differences make us stronger.

We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know. We'll work with you to ensure you have the support you need.

Our Internal Recruitment Team fulfil all vacancies on a direct basis. Unsolicited contact by unapproved agencies, including speculative CVs, will not be accepted and introductory fees will not apply.