Front Line Manager

Overview

Salary: competitive plus benefits. Location: Crick Depot, Northampton, NN6 7SL. Contract type: Permanent. Business area: Logistics. Closing date: 04 May 2026. Requisition ID: .

Job Title

Job Title: Transport First Line Manager

Shift

We have an exciting opportunity of a First Line Manager role, working 4on/4off night shifts (18:00-06:00).

Role purpose

As a Transport First Line Manager, you will be responsible for the execution of the operational plan, providing a cost effective professional service, and maintaining a smooth and effective transport operation.

Key duties and accountabilities

• Identify and escalate (where necessary) all potential operational risks (Cost, Service, People and Safety)
• Communicate effectively to internal and external stakeholders
• Achieve customers KPI's in line with the business budget
• Supply accurate information on operational status as and when required including shift handover
• Utilise efficiencies to ensure drivers comply with legislation and company policies
• Prioritise workflow in line with business needs across all colleagues within the transport department
• Ensure Health and Safety is part of our daily activities
• Deputise for the Shift Manager in their absence

Qualifications, key skills and experience required

• Previous experience of working in a transport / warehouse environment
• Previous working knowledge of Transport Management systems
• Effective communication skills at all levels
• Knowledge of Drivers hours and working time directive
• Computer literate, competent user of all Microsoft Office applications
• Experience in working to Health and Safety requirements

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the shift transport team, allocate duties during the shift and direct team members to ensure that the shift is completed efficiently and depot KPI s are achieved
• Proactively identify any operational risks and ensure that the escalation procedures are followed
• Ensure all drivers receive a full brief of their working schedule prior to departing depot including any specific requirements relating to safety and temperature control
• Communicate clearly and concisely with team members during the shift to ensure that the operation runs efficiently and effectively to meet depot KPIs, through task allocation
• Provide updates to the Shift Management on progress against daily plan, operational issues and progress to resolve operational issues
• Liaise with agency to ensure that they fulfil in line with plan and operational requirement and escalate if requirements are not met
• Completion of investigations and disciplinary meetings in line with the company's dispute resolution policy
• Monitor, record, and report against agency fulfilment
• Contribute to and support the induction of new team members (Drivers)
• Identify training requirements for the transport team and implement where needed
• Ensure that induction training has been received by all drivers (Sainsburys and agency) prior to them leaving depot
• Contribute to the PDR process providing constructive feedback on performance and recommendations on training requirements for team members
• Involvement in discipline, grievance and attendance management
• Review the operational plan to ensure that it is achievable with the current depot status
• Identify, communicate and implement improvements in the daily transport plan
• Take action each shift to ensure that operational KPIs are consistently achieved
• Identify working practice improvements that would support the consistent and effective achievement of operational KPIs and make recommendations to Shift Manager
• Identify options and make recommendations to the Shift Manager to resolve operational issues and risks
• Ensure that team remain focussed on the operational plan during the shift
• Ensure that colleagues support one another with workload during pinch points on shift
• Take a proactive role in developing a culture where Health and safety is at the core of everything we do
• Ensure that the team operate in line with site rules