DEPOT MANAGER

Kelling Group; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 60,435 - 87,295; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus scheme

Company pension and life insurance

Health and wellbeing programme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Employee and store discounts

Additional leave and sick pay

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Kelling Group in Huntingdon seeks a Depot Manager to lead the depot's operations, safety, and performance, ensuring efficient, safe, and commercially successful delivery of services.

You will drive people management, process adherence, and customer-focused service while coordinating with multiple internal teams to meet targets and maintain high standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a depot, operations, transport, fleet, or service management role.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience managing operational KPIs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and operational management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop all depot employees, creating a high-performing and engaged team.
• Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for performance, behaviours, and standards.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, probation reviews, and return-to-work interviews.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, training, succession planning, and employee development.
• Address performance concerns promptly through coaching, development plans, and formal processes where required.
• Conduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, and grievance meetings in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all employees receive the appropriate training and competency assessments required for their role.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and customer focus.
• Maintain full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the depot.
• Ensure all units are either hire-ready or actively progressing through repair.
• Drive fleet availability and minimise units in repair through effective planning and resource management.
• Monitor depot KPIs and implement actions to improve performance where required.
• Ensure all jobs are completed accurately and on time within Syrinx and associated systems.
• Oversee pre-delivery inspections, stress tests, off-hire inspections, refurbishment sign-offs, and quality control processes.
• Ensure depot processes and procedures are consistently followed and audited.
• Manage depot resources effectively to maximise productivity and minimise downtime.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Planning

Communication

KPIs

MS Office

Stakeholder management

Tools

Operational systems

Job description

Role Overview

The Depot Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, safety, and operational effectiveness of the depot. The role carries full accountability for ensuring the depot operates efficiently, safely, and commercially, whilst delivering exceptional service to both internal and external customers.

Depot Manager

Location: Huntingdon

Type: Permanent, Full-time

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Reporting to

Operations Director

Key Internal Relationships

• Operations Team
• Customer Operations Desk
• Technical Department
• Fleet & Transport
• HR
• SHEQ
• IT
• Finance

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop all depot employees, creating a high-performing and engaged team.
• Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for performance, behaviours, and standards.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, probation reviews, and return-to-work interviews.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, training, succession planning, and employee development.
• Address performance concerns promptly through coaching, development plans, and formal processes where required.
• Conduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, and grievance meetings in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all employees receive the appropriate training and competency assessments required for their role.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and customer focus.

Operational Management

• Maintain full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the depot.
• Ensure all units are either hire-ready or actively progressing through repair.
• Drive fleet availability and minimise units in repair through effective planning and resource management.
• Monitor depot KPIs and implement actions to improve performance where required.
• Ensure all jobs are completed accurately and on time within Syrinx and associated systems.
• Oversee pre-delivery inspections, stress tests, off-hire inspections, refurbishment sign-offs, and quality control processes.
• Ensure depot processes and procedures are consistently followed and audited.
• Manage depot resources effectively to maximise productivity and minimise downtime.

Fleet & Asset Management

• Maintain accurate oversight of all fleet assets located within the depot.
• Ensure units are maintained to company standards and are presented in a clean, professional, hire-ready condition.
• Monitor fleet utilisation and identify opportunities to improve availability.
• Conduct regular fleet audits and stock checks.
• Ensure all defects are reported, prioritised, and rectified promptly.
• Manage depot stock levels, spare parts, consumables, and equipment.
• Work closely with Technical and Operations teams to reduce fleet downtime.

Health, Safety, And Compliance

• Take overall responsibility for Health & Safety within the depot.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.
• Conduct regular depot inspections and safety audits.
• Lead accident, incident, and near-miss investigations.
• Ensure all corrective actions are completed within agreed timescales.
• Facilitate toolbox talks and safety briefings.
• Monitor contractor activities on site.
• Ensure all equipment, vehicles, lifting equipment, and safety systems are inspected and maintained.
• Champion a positive safety culture and lead by example.
• Monitor driving hours, ensuring driver compliance with Working Time Directive (WTD) and conduct regular tachograph checks.
• Manage accident reporting, investigations, and lead safety observations.

Customer Service & Stakeholder Management

• Ensure exceptional service delivery to all customers.
• Act as the escalation point for depot-related customer issues.
• Work collaboratively with Customer Operations, Technical, and other support functions to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ensure customer complaints are investigated thoroughly and resolved professionally.

Essential

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a depot, operations, transport, fleet, or service management role.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience managing operational KPIs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and operational management systems.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Desirable

• Management qualification.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
• Transport, fleet, or hire industry experience.
• Experience managing change and continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities

• Act as keyholder and custodian of all depot assets.
• Ensure depot security standards are maintained.
• Participate in operational meetings, projects, and business improvement initiatives.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the business.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Company pension and life insurance
• Health and wellbeing programme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Employee and store discounts
• Additional leave and sick pay
• Free on-site parking
• Supportive team culture with opportunities for growth