Depot Manager / Delivery Driver
Location: Reading
Salary: £35,000 per year
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Working pattern: Six days per week, with alternate Saturdays possible due to an existing depot supervisor
Start time: Approximately 3.00am - 4.30 am, depending on day
Job Description
Wellington Fresh, part of 4DegreesC Ltd, is a leading fresh produce and chilled food supply company.
We are looking for an experienced and practical Depot Manager to oversee our small Reading depot and manage a small team of delivery drivers.
This is a hands-on role. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the depot, organising delivery routes, supporting the drivers and ensuring vehicles are clean and deliveries operate smoothly.
They will also be responsible for recruiting new drivers when required. This will include interviewing applicants, assessing whether they are suitable and capable of carrying out the role, and overseeing their training and induction.
The Depot Manager will report to the Regional Depots Manager, who is based in The South and Transport Manager, who is based at our London headquarters.
As this is a small depot, the Depot Manager will normally be expected to complete a delivery route as part of their working week, potentially on most days.
They will have responsibility for organising the routes and may be able to structure their own deliveries around the depot’s workload. For example, they may complete a fuller route on the busier days, such as Monday and Tuesday, while arranging the other drivers’ routes so that their own delivery commitments are lighter later in the week.
The balance between driving and depot management will depend on delivery volumes and how effectively the routes are organised. However, applicants should understand that this is not a purely office-based or supervisory role, and regular multi-drop driving will be an important part of the position.
Key Responsibilities
- Overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Reading depot
- Managing and supporting a small team of delivery drivers
- Reporting to the Regional Depots Manager Transport Manager at our London HQ
- Recruiting and interviewing new drivers when required
- Assessing applicants’ driving ability, reliability and suitability for the role
- Organising inductions and training for new drivers
- Ensuring new drivers are properly trained and capable before working independently
- Monitoring driver performance and addressing any training or performance issues
- Planning and reviewing delivery routes
- Using logistics and routing software to make last-minute route changes
- Adding new deliveries or collections to existing routes
- Reorganising routes to accommodate customer delivery times and operational requirements
- Ensuring drivers complete daily vehicle checks and report any defects
- Organising vehicle maintenance and repairs when required
- Monitoring vehicle condition, cleanliness and presentation
- Ensuring drivers are clean, tidy and presentable
- Supporting drivers with delivery or customer issues
- Completing regular multi-drop delivery routes as part of the role
- Ensuring deliveries leave the depot accurately and on time
- Maintaining good standards of organisation, communication and customer service
Skills and Requirements
- Previous experience managing or supervising drivers, transport staff or a depot team
- Experience recruiting, interviewing or training drivers would be beneficial
- Experience using logistics, transport planning or routing software
- Good computer literacy
- Ability to understand and amend delivery routes
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to respond calmly to last-minute changes
- Good communication and people-management skills
- Confidence assessing, training and managing members of staff
- Reliable, practical and able to work under pressure
- Previous multi-drop delivery experience
- Full UK driving licence with no more than three penalty points
- Good geographical knowledge of Reading and the surrounding areas would be beneficial
Working Hours
The role operates six days per week. However, as there is already a depot supervisor in place, Saturdays may be worked on an alternate basis.
The normal start time is approximately 3.00 am - 4.30 am. Finish times may vary depending on delivery volumes and operational requirements.
Benefits
- Salary of £35,000 per year
- Permanent, full-time position
- Opportunities for progression within a growing family business
- Development and training opportunities
- 28 days’ paid annual leave, including bank holidays
- Company pension scheme
- Staff account with wholesale pricing on approximately 3,500 food products
- Employee discount
- Referral programme
- Free on-site parking
Application Question
Where are you currently based?
Experience
- Transport, depot or driver supervision: 1 year preferred
- Multi-drop driving: 1 year preferred
- Logistics or route-planning software: experience required
Licence and Work Authorisation
- Full UK driving licence required
- United Kingdom work authorisation required
Work location: Reading depot and on the road
Pay: £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
