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.
Ready to lead, inspire and make a real impact within a fast-paced operation? Our Transport team based in Portbury, Bristol has an exciting opportunity for a Transport Shift Manager to join us on our Tuesday to Saturday late shift.
At the heart of this role is people leadership. You’ll be responsible for leading a team of around 15–20 drivers alongside Transport Coordinators, creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged and focused on delivering great results.
While previous transport or logistics experience would be an advantage, we’re equally interested in hearing from strong operational leaders who know how to get the best from people, manage performance and solve problems in a busy, target-driven environment.
You’ll also work closely with our wider Transport Management team, including fellow Shift Managers across the week, so collaboration, strong relationships and effective handovers will be key to success. This role will see you working Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 2:30am.
What you'll be doing
Reporting into the Transport Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day transport operation across your shift, ensuring we deliver safely, efficiently and to a consistently high standard. Within this role you will:
- Lead from the front, creating a safe, supportive and engaging working environment for drivers, Transport Coordinators, agency colleagues and subcontractors.
- Manage and develop a team of approximately 15–20 drivers, supporting performance, capability and engagement.
- Take ownership of recruitment, induction, absence management, wellbeing conversations, 1:1s and employee relations activity including disciplinaries, grievances and investigations.
- Oversee daily transport operations including rotas, resource planning and operational priorities.
- Drive performance by taking ownership of operational KPIs and identifying opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and service delivery.
- Work closely with fellow Transport Shift Managers to ensure strong communication, effective handovers and a joined-up approach across the operation.
- Solve operational challenges as they arise, making confident decisions while keeping people, service and safety at the heart of your approach.
- Champion health and safety, transport compliance and operational standards.
- Build strong relationships across the wider site, working collaboratively with colleagues, suppliers and other teams.
- Encourage your team to share ideas, challenge existing ways of working and contribute to continuous improvement.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys leading people, working at pace and making a visible difference to both team performance and the wider operation.
What we're looking for
For this role, we're looking first and foremost for a strong people leader who can motivate a team, build trusted relationships and deliver results.
You may already have experience within transport or logistics, or you may be bringing strong transferable leadership experience from another fast-paced operational environment.
What you’ll bring:
- Proven people management or operational leadership experience.
- The ability to motivate, coach and develop a team while also managing performance and accountability.
- A people-focused approach combined with a strong drive to achieve targets and operational results.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the confidence to make decisions in a fast-moving environment.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across different teams and shifts.
- A collaborative, team-focused approach.
- The flexibility and resilience to adapt when operational priorities change.
- Experience working with KPIs, targets or operational performance measures.
- Transport, logistics or distribution experience would be beneficial, but is not essential where you can demonstrate strong transferable leadership experience.
- Experience within a unionised environment would be beneficial, but not essential.
- A Transport CPC would be desirable, but is not essential.
If you're a confident leader who enjoys getting the best from people, solving problems and driving performance, we want to hear from you.
Lead the team. Build relationships. Drive performance. Make a difference.
Role details:
Salary: Up to £41,000 per annum + £6,000 Night Shift Allowance per annum
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 2:30am
Location: Gist Limited, First Avenue, Royal Portbury Dock, Bristol, BS20 7XR
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.
