Location: Reading (Tilehurst)
Hours: Full Time (40 hours) Monday to Friday
Package: Basic Salary up to £31,000 plus Bonus & Flexible Benefits Package
Sector: Packaging Distribution
Protecting what matters, together
At Macfarlane Packaging, we're dedicated to protecting what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. Our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can unpack a career that grows.
With over 75 years of success behind us, we combine long-term stability with an ambitious outlook for the future.
Our fast-paced environment will challenge and develop you, whilst providing genuine opportunities to build your career. Every colleague has the opportunity to make a real impact on our success.
We offer competitive pay, rewarding benefits and a culture built around teamwork, continuous improvement and personal development. If you're looking for the next step in your logistics career, we'd love to hear from you.
The Logistics Team Leader Role
If you've built solid experience within a busy warehouse, logistics or distribution environment and you're ready to take the next step in your career, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
Working alongside an experienced Logistics Manager, you'll gradually take increasing ownership of our transport operation – developing your knowledge of transport compliance, driver management, fleet administration and operational health & safety whilst remaining a visible, hands-on member of our logistics team.
This isn't a desk-based transport office role. You'll spend much of your time working within our warehouse and yard operation, supporting drivers and the wider logistics team to keep deliveries running safely, efficiently and on schedule.
For someone with good operational logistics experience who enjoys being close to the operation and is keen to develop into transport and logistics management, this represents an excellent long-term career opportunity.
What You Will Be Doing
Working closely with the Logistics Manager, you'll help ensure our transport and logistics operation runs safely, efficiently and compliantly. Your responsibilities will include:
- Being a visible, hands-on presence within the warehouse and yard, supporting the day-to-day operation alongside drivers and warehouse colleagues.
- Supervising and supporting our team of drivers, promoting safe working practices and ensuring excellent customer service.
- Developing your knowledge of transport compliance, including Driver Hours, Working Time Regulations, licence checks and associated legal requirements.
- Conducting driver debriefs, reviewing vehicle camera alerts and assisting with any follow-up actions where required.
- Supporting the day-to-day coordination of logistics activities to ensure on-time deliveries and excellent customer service.
- Assisting with the management of the commercial vehicle fleet, including vehicle inspections, servicing schedules and maintenance records.
- Working alongside the Logistics Manager to maintain high standards of health, safety and operational compliance across the site.
- Supporting route planning and logistics coordination using our transport management systems.
- Assisting with colleague inductions, coaching and ongoing training where appropriate.
- Receiving supplier deliveries, carrying out quality checks and ensuring stock is accurately recorded and stored.
- Supporting inventory accuracy through stock counts and warehouse audits.
- Working collaboratively with Sales and other internal departments to coordinate deliveries and resolve operational issues.
- Providing cover for the Logistics Manager during periods of annual leave or absence.
What You Will Bring
We're looking for someone with solid operational logistics experience who's ready to broaden their responsibilities and build a long-term career in transport and logistics management.
Ideally, you'll bring:
- Experience gained within a warehouse, logistics or distribution environment.
- Experience coordinating logistics activities, transport operations or warehouse processes.
- Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Confidence communicating with drivers, warehouse colleagues and internal departments.
- A proactive, hands-on approach – you're happiest being out with the operation rather than sitting behind a desk all day.
- The ability to remain calm under pressure whilst managing multiple priorities.
- A genuine interest in transport compliance, health & safety and operational best practice, with the enthusiasm to continue learning and developing.
- Previous Team Leader or supervisory experience would be advantageous, although we'll also consider ambitious individuals who have demonstrated leadership potential and are ready to step up.
- A valid Forklift Truck licence (Reach, Counterbalance or Bendi) would be beneficial, although training can be provided for the right person.
What You Will Get
We provide a competitive basic salary and operate a range of rewarding bonus and incentive schemes. Our flexible employee benefits package includes:
- 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus all public/bank holidays
- Additional Holiday Purchasing Scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free parking at the majority of our site locations
- Annual company-paid Volunteering Day
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Extensive training, development and career progression opportunities
- Employee discount scheme with major retailers and leisure providers
- Simply Health/Dental Cover option or BUPA cover for qualifying roles
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Long service awards
- Charitable giving options
- Financial support towards eye tests and DSE glasses (where applicable)
- EE Mobile employee discount scheme
- Candidate referral scheme (awards £750 for referring successful applicants)
Your Future With Us
This role is designed for someone who wants to build a career rather than simply do a job. Working closely with an experienced Logistics Manager, you'll receive ongoing coaching and development across transport compliance, fleet management, operational leadership and health & safety.
As your knowledge and confidence grow, you'll be given increasing responsibility, providing a genuine pathway into Logistics or Transport Management within one of the UK's leading packaging businesses.
How to Apply/Next Steps
All applications will be acknowledged. If you haven't heard from us within a fortnight, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
