Depot Manager

As our Depot Manager, you will manage the day to day depot activities to achieve greater efficiencies for the business and improve productivity within the team while achieving the budgeted volume & contribution.
You will be leading a team of sales, office and driver colleagues to ensure targets are achieved and excellent customer service is delivered. To be successful as our Depot Manager, you will be capable of identifying, proposing and delivering strategic business opportunities, as well as improving current performance in existing products and services.
Key Accountabilities
Sales

• Maintaining good relations with existing customers
• Working closely with the Regional Manager to explore other areas of sales leads to win new business through contracts
• Identifying all potential new customers and having a clear strategy to acquire them
• Ensure that the pricing policy is understood and used to maximise margins
• Working closely with the sales team to facilitate the development of domestic, commercial & agricultural business

Tankers and Drivers

• Oversee the transport operation and scheduling of vehicles to ensure they remain safe and that customers receive their deliveries on time, every time.
• Work closely with the transport department to ensure that we exceed customer expectations whilst delivering.
• Review and monitor the routing schedules to ensure that efficient, structured routes are planned for drivers and review the routing with depot teams to maximize any synergies across the trading area
• Ensure that the drivers are operating safely and being compliant with all legislation and company regulations
• Ensure that the vehicles are legal and fit for purpose through management of the service schedules, MOT’s, Tank tests and other dangerous goods by road regulations.
• Ensure that the drivers have had adequate training on loading and offloading of the vehicles safely.

Stocks

• Monitor sales to ensure that the depot has enough stock and purchases the stock at the right price, to maximise margins
• Ensure depot stocks are reconciled daily
• Investigate any discrepancies and advising the direct team of any issues
• Ensure that all stock records are kept up to date and accurate
• Work closely with the central finance team in stock management

Costs

• Getting multiple quotes for items of major expense
• Monitoring P&L’s monthly to ensure all sales, margins and overheads are in line with budget and challenge where they are unexpected

People

• Coaching and mentoring of the depot team, including office staff and drivers to ensure targets are met and exceeded
• Managing a remote team by keeping the team up to date and motivated at all locations so that they all understand the performance and what’s expected.
• To recognise qualities and strengths in individuals and develop the team further
• To manage, review and set targets for the sales teams and conduct weekly, monthly and annual reviews
• To help motivate the depot staff and drivers and work alongside the transport manager for any driver support required
• With support from HR, support with any office queries including appraisals, investigations and disciplinaries

Key knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required
Personality & Experience

• Committed, enthusiastic and energetic, the Depot Manager will have the drive, initiative and focus required in this busy diverse role. You will always need be aware to your own depot performance and have the tools available to help you establish ways to improve in certain areas within the business.
• A strong relationship builder who is able to use their excellent interpersonal and coaching skills to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time.
• Providing guidance and direction to direct reports, including objectives and monitoring performance.
• A highly motivated self-starter, the Depot Manager will operate in a multi-task environment with deadlines and will be able to challenge themselves to exceed standards. They are not easily deterred when obstacles or delays are encountered, are organised and composed with a strong work ethic.
• Whilst it isn’t critical, industry experience would be valuable.

Skills and Abilities

• Communications – A confident communicator with the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, both formally and informally. A skilled active, empathetic listener, you can give full attention to what others are saying and take the time to understand the points being made.
• Sales – The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Decision Making – A decisive, effective decision maker and problem solver with sound judgement who can consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate course of action
• Leadership – able to effectively lead and coach to deliver optimum results and develop a highly engaged and high performing team.
• People Management – experience in managing all people related process throughout the employee life cycle with full adherence to company policy and procedure
• Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others productively
• Self-Motivates with the ability to work under minimal supervision and guidance
• Strong attention to detail
• Results driven approach and delivery focused
• A strong communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to deliver with impact
• Ability to identify priorities and meet deadlines
• Skilled in mentoring and coaching
• Good team player

REF-210815