Depot Area Manager

About the role

Cotteswold Dairy is looking for an experienced operational leader to act as Area Manager (Depots), leading and developing its distribution depot management teams and strengthening operational performance. The role reports to the Commercial Manager and covers depots excluding the Tewkesbury site, with regular travel between locations. It is a permanent, full-time position of 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a flexible base.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop people: coach, support and challenge Depot Managers to build confident, capable and accountable teams.
• Drive operational excellence: monitor performance, identify improvement opportunities and ensure depots run efficiently and consistently.
• Champion health and safety, food safety and compliance with transport and environmental legislation.
• Apply continuous improvement and LEAN principles to reduce waste and improve productivity.
• Work with Sales and other departments so depot capacity and resources meet business demand.
• Support recruitment, training, performance management and succession planning.
• Help Depot Managers implement new initiatives and maintain high customer service.

Required profile

• Proven leadership experience in a depot, distribution, logistics, transport or comparable operational environment.
• Previous responsibility for managing a site, depot or operational function.
• Strong coaching and situational leadership skills.
• Knowledge of health and safety, transport and regulatory requirements.
• Experience improving processes and implementing operational change.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly, including occasional overnight stays.
• A management or continuous improvement qualification is advantageous.

What we offer

• Salary of £55,000 per annum plus a £5,000 car allowance.
• 22 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Permanent, full-time employment with a flexible base.