Transport First Line Manager

John Lewis Partnership; East Malling; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The John Lewis Partnership is hiring a Transport First Line Manager for the PM shift at our Aylesford RDC. You will lead and develop Partners and agency staff, drive productivity, and manage costs while ensuring high customer service levels within budget.

The role requires strong knowledge of transport regulations, experience in transport/ distribution management, and a commitment to health and safety. Evening/Night premiums apply for out-of-hours work.

Qualifications

• Excellent Transport knowledge of current EU and Working Time regulations.
• Experience of working in a management role in a Transport / Distribution environment.
• A good understanding of Health and Safety legislation.
• Experience of dealing with full disciplinary procedures according to ACAS guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Managing the performance, wellbeing and development of all Partners in your team.
• Maximising productivity and managing the usage of overtime and agency to improve costs.
• Implementing new projects to improve the efficiency of the operation.
• Supporting a culture of continuous improvement across the department.
• Ensuring the safety of yourself and others by following all Legal, Health, and Safety procedures, EU Driving Regulations, and Operational procedures.
• Deputising for the Transport Shift Manager in their absence.

Skills

Transport knowledge

Management experience

Health & Safety knowledge

Disciplinary procedures (ACAS)

Tools

Google Sheets

Google Docs

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Transport First Line Manager, you'll be managing Partners and agency across the Transport operation, helping to maintain the smooth running of our distribution centres. This is a 24/7 operation where you will ensure productivity and key customer service levels are met within budget. You'll play an active role in motivating and leading your team. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 18:00 - 22:00 will attract an Evening Premium at a rate of £3.75 per hour, and any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract a Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

At a Glance

Job Title: Transport First Line Manager, PM shift

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full-Time, 37.5 hours a week, working between the hours 14:00-22:00, to include occasional weekend working

Expected Salary: up to £40,000, depending on experience

Location: Aylesford Regional Distribution Centre (RDC)

Key Responsibilities

On a day-to-day basis, you'll be responsible for:

• Managing the performance, wellbeing and development of all Partners in your team.
• Maximising productivity and managing the usage of overtime and agency to improve costs.
• Implementing new projects to improve the efficiency of the operation.
• Supporting a culture of continuous improvement across the department.
• Ensuring the safety of yourself and others by following all Legal, Health, and Safety procedures, EU Driving Regulations, and Operational procedures.
• Deputising for the Transport Shift Manager in their absence.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Excellent Transport knowledge of current EU and Working Time regulations
• Experience of working in a management role in a Transport / Distribution environment
• A good understanding of Health and Safety legislation
• Experience of dealing with full disciplinary procedures according to ACAS guidelines

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
• Confident using Google Sheets and Google Docs

Closing Date

September 22, 2026

Pay

£36,600.00 - £57,600.00 Annual

Contract Type

Permanent

Hours of Work

37.5

Job Level

Partnership Level 8

Where You'll Be Working

Aylesford Regional Distribution Centre (Waitrose & Partners), Beddow Way, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7AT

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or short the hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.