Depot FLM

Allied Bakeries are owned by Associated British Foods. ABF is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £20.1bn and 138,000 employees in 56 countries. It has significant businesses in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Our sister companies in ABF UK Grocery produce products under many market-leading household brands, including Jordans, Ryvita, Pataks, Blue Dragon & Silver Spoon.

We are proud of our brands: we make top 10 UK grocery brand Kingsmill as well as Allinson’s and Sunblest. You’ll know us best through our white, wholemeal and seeded market-leading loaves, as well as Kingsmill 50/50, the nation’s favourite Healthier White, and our delicious pancakes, crumpets, hot cross buns and other bakery products.

The success of our business depends on us having the right people on the team. We are incredibly passionate about our business, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted – it’s pacey and demanding so our people need to have a positive attitude and to want to work inclusively. We take massive pride in what we do, not least in how colleagues based in our bakeries and depots have one of the best safety performance records in the industry.

Our Grocery Service Centre, based near Liverpool, is a hub for transactional activity across multiple ABF companies within the ABF Grocery division. Supporting some of our well-known brands such as Kingsmill, Pataks, Blue Dragon, Jordans, Ryvita and Silver Spoon, amongst others. We deliver Shared Service activities across a wide range of disciplines including Customer Services, Consumer Care, Finance, Payroll, HR and IS.

If you’re looking to join a business that is passionate, encourages you to be the best you can be, and values its people, we’d love to hear from you.

Overview Of Role 📍 Location: Gateshead

💰 Salary: £46,355 🕒 Shift Pattern: 4 on 4 off – Nights | 42 hours | 16.30 to 04.30am

Lead, Inspire & Drive Performance at Allied Bakeries

At Allied Bakeries, home to some of the UK's best-loved bread brands, we're proud of our people, our heritage and the vital role our logistics teams play in keeping the nation fed.

With a strong culture of development, continuous improvement and internal progression, we're looking for a Depot Front Line Manager to join our Gateshead operation on a permanent night shift.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing both our despatch operation and delivery fleet, ensuring products are loaded, dispatched and delivered safely, efficiently and on time. You'll lead a team of 28 colleagues across despatch and transport, creating a positive culture while delivering operational excellence in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment.

Your Leadership Impact You'll have responsibility for leading and developing:

• 14 Despatch Operatives
• 14 Class 1 and Class 2 Delivery Drivers

As a key member of the depot leadership team, you'll be responsible for delivering operational performance, maintaining compliance standards and creating an engaged, high-performing team.

The Right Person

• Experience within logistics, transport, distribution, warehouse or despatch operations
• Previous experience leading operational teams in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of transport compliance and health & safety requirements
• Experience managing drivers, warehouse or despatch colleagues
• A proactive leader who can motivate teams and drive performance
• Ability to make decisions quickly and confidently under pressure
• Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills
• Confident using Microsoft Office and operational systems
• National CPC qualification is desirable but not essential

What You'll Be Doing 🚚 Leading, motivating and developing despatch and driver teams to deliver outstanding service

✅ Ensuring full compliance with Driver Hours, Tachograph, Operator Licence, Health & Safety and food safety requirements

📦 Managing the night-time depot operation, ensuring all routes are loaded accurately and depart on time

📊 Monitoring operational KPIs, including service, compliance, safety, attendance and productivity

🌱 Coaching, developing and supporting colleagues to build capability and performance

🔄 Driving continuous improvement initiatives across transport and despatch operations

🛠️ Managing day-to-day operational issues, making timely decisions to minimise disruption and maintain service levels

🤝 Working closely with planning, manufacturing and customer teams to ensure a smooth end-to-end operation

📋 Conducting investigations, return-to-work meetings, performance reviews and other people management activities as required

💡 Promoting a positive culture that reflects our values of Aim High, Work Together, I Do What I Say and Everybody Matters

Shift Pattern – Built Around the Operation

This role operates on a 4 on 4 off night shift pattern, working 42 hours per week from 16.30 to 04.30am .

As the operational leader on shift, you'll play a critical role in ensuring products leave site safely, efficiently and on schedule while supporting colleagues throughout the night operation.

Why Join Allied Bakeries?

At Allied Bakeries, we don't just offer a job – we offer the opportunity to build a rewarding career in a business that values its people and invests in their development.

We are committed to being The Best We Can Be , guided by our values:

• Aim High
• Work Together
• I Do What I Say
• Everybody Matters

What We Offer in Return

✨ 6.6 weeks' annual leave

🩺 Healthcare cash plan, eye care and wellbeing support

🔐 Pension & Life Assurance – up to 10% employer contribution

🛍️ Retail discounts at 500+ major retailers

📚 Ongoing learning and leadership development opportunities

💸 Financial wellbeing support and affordable loans

🚴 Electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes

🎉 Recognition and reward programmes

❤️ Payroll Giving supporting Save the Children

Next Steps

If you're an experienced logistics, transport, warehouse or despatch leader looking for an opportunity to lead a critical night operation and make a real impact within a well-established business, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Allied Bakeries and help us deliver some of the UK's favourite bakery brands to customers every day.