Operations Manager

The Company

Caterite Food & Wineservice Limited is a leading food and drink wholesaler based in the Lake District delivering to customers in the North of England and Scotland. After 50 years of Foodservice, we are entering a new chapter in our history, whilst staying true to our values and service which has guided our success so far.

We are in an exciting period of transformational change with significant developments since the company was acquired by METRO in 2024. METRO is an international specialist in food wholesale, a partner of many small and mid-sized independent companies who have made it their goal to lift the food and hospitality sector to a new level.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive and dedicated Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations at our North East Hub, currently being established as part of our continued growth.

You will be responsible for managing all aspects of the site, including people, processes, fleet, compliance, and customer service. You will play a critical role in driving operational excellence and team performance in a fast-paced environment.

We are looking for a results-driven leader who thrives on responsibility, inspires those around them and is passionate about efficiency, safety, and service. You’ll be confident and hardworking, taking ownership and building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of daily operations at the Hub ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
• Lead and support a high-performing team
• Manage route planning, vehicle scheduling and resource allocation
• Ensure full compliance with transport legislation, company policies and health and safety standards
• Monitor performance data and implement strategies for continuous improvement
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and internal teams
• Deliver a high standard of customer service and operational reliability
• Act as the primary point of contact for all employee matters at the site, promoting a positive and inclusive workplace culture

Requirements

• Proven experience in logistics, transport operations and team management
• CPC in Road Haulage preferred
• Minimum of 1 year in a leadership or management role within transport/logistics (3+ years preferred)
• Strong understanding of compliance, fleet operations and performance analysis
• Excellent communication, organisational and leadership skills
• Confident IT user with proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Flexible and reliable, with the ability to manage early starts and changing demands
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with strong problem-solving skills
• Customer-focused approach with a strong sense of accountability

Benefits

• £500 refer-a-friend scheme
• Discounted company shopping account
• 28 days holiday plus day for birthday
• Company pension (People’s Pension)
• Long service award

Schedule: Monday to Saturday rota, early starts required and flexible shift availability is essential

Location: Unit 2, Faverdale East Business Park, Round House Road, Faverdale, Darlington, DL3 0UR

Expected hours: 40 hours per week

Availability to carry out training at Head Office at Embleton, Cumbria for up to month as part of the onboarding process.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person