Transport First Line Manager

jlp; Painter's Forstal; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Waitrose & Partners at Aylesford Regional Distribution Centre is hiring a Transport First Line Manager for a PM shift. You will lead Partners and agency, drive productivity and ensure customer service levels within budget.

This 37.5-hour, permanent role runs 14:00–22:00 with occasional weekends. You’ll motivate your team, manage performance and advocate a culture of continuous improvement while safeguarding safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of current EU Transport regulations and Working Time rules.
• Experience leading teams in Transport/Distribution environments.
• Solid understanding of Health and Safety legislation.
• Experience handling disciplinary procedures per ACAS guidelines.
• Proficiency with Google Sheets and Google Docs.

Responsibilities

• Manage performance, wellbeing and development of all Partners in the team.
• Maximise productivity and control overtime and agency costs.
• Implement projects to improve operation efficiency.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across the department.
• Ensure safety by following all legal, health and safety procedures.

Skills

Transport knowledge

Management experience

Health & Safety

ACAS discipline

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

• 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.

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 shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.