Transport Shift Manager - (T.S.M.118)

Gist; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

M&S discount

25 days annual leave

Healthcare cash plan

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Cycle to work

Job summary

Gist is recruiting a Transport Shift Manager for our Carlisle operation. You will lead transport activities across a shift, develop the team, and drive performance within a busy FMCG distribution environment.

You will manage recruitment, onboarding, wellbeing, and employee relations while maintaining safety and service excellence. A Tuesday–Saturday shift pattern with 12pm–8pm or 2pm–10pm is required, with flexibility to support growth.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience in a transport function, ideally FMCG Distribution.
• Management level experience is essential.
• Strong people management skills with a focus on development and disciplinary/grievance handling.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the front to create a safe, supportive, and engaging working environment.
• Own recruitment, induction, absence management, wellbeing, 1:1s and employee relations processes.
• Deliver effective team meetings, briefings, and clear communication across transport operations.
• Drive KPI performance and identify improvement opportunities in productivity, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Champion teamwork, innovation, and better ways of working.
• Lead health and safety compliance and standards within transport operations.
• Collaborate with the Transport Operations Manager on value-adding initiatives.

Skills

Transport management

People management

Analytical mindset

Team leadership

Shift flexibility

Unionised environment

Transport CPC

Job description

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.

The Opportunity

Ready to lead, inspire and make a real impact within a growing logistics business!

Our Transport team based in Carlisle have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Transport Shift Manager where you will ensure the smooth running of transport operations across your shift.

This role is more than just managing an operation, you will lead and develop your people, driving performance, solving operational challenges and creating a safe, positive and engaging environment where great teams can thrive!

This amazing role will see you working a Tuesday to Saturday shift working either 12pm-8pm or 2pm-10pm however flexibility is required to support our growing operation.

What you'll be doing

Reporting into the Site Operations Manager you will take ownership of transport operations, ensuring as a team we deliver outstanding services, efficiency and performance at all times. Within this role you will:

• Lead from the front, creating a safe, supportive and friendly working environment for employees, agency colleagues and subcontractors.
• Develop great people by owning recruitment, induction, absence management, wellbeing, 1:1s and the full employee relations process including disciplinaries, grievances and investigations.
• Keep everyone connected through the delivery of effective team meetings, briefings, objectives, and communication across the transport operations.
• Drive performance by taking ownership of operational KPIs, identifying opportunities for improvement relating to productivity, efficiency and service delivery.
• Champion teamwork and innovation, encouraging your team to share idea, challenge the status quo and help shape better ways of working.
• Advocate, champion and lead health and safety, compliance, and standards within the transport operations.
• Support wider operations by working closely with the Transport Operations Manager on initiatives and tasks that add value to the team and site.

This is an opportunity to make your mark, develop a high performing team and play a key part in the success of a busy transport operation.

What we're looking for

To be successful in your application you will be an experienced transport professional who knows how to lead people and deliver results, what you will bring:

• Proven, hands-on experience within a transport function, ideally within an FMCG Distribution.
• Previous experience operating at management level, this is essential.
• Strong people management skills and a genuine passion for developing and challenging your team.
• An analytical mindset, with the ability to understand performance data and turn it into action.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to build strong relationships across the operation.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shift patterns as the operation evolves.
• Experience working within a unionised environment would be beneficial, but not essential.
• It would be desirable, however not essential, if you hold a Transport CPC.

If you are a confident transport leader who enjoys a fast‑paced environment, gets the best from people and is motivated by improving performance, we want to hear from you.

Lead the team. Drive performance. Make a difference.

Role details:

• Salary: Up to £42,000 per annum
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday shift working either 12pm-8pm or 2pm-10pm however flexibility is required to support our growing operation.
• Location: Gist Ltd, Riverbank, Brunel Way, Durranhill Industrial Estate, Harraby, Carlisle, CA1 3NQ

What's in it for you?

As well as a competitive salary, 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
• Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 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 help with 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.