Depot Manager - Fresh Produce

Job Title: Depot Manager - Fresh Produce Industry

Location: Atherston, Warwickshire 

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7AM to 5PM

About Company:

Our client, a leading fresh produce supplier, is dedicated to delivering top-quality products from seed to fork. Committed to excellence and continuous improvement, they foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Company is now seeking a Depot Manager to lead a production site, ensuring the business consistently exceeds customer and operational expectations.

About The Role:

As the Depot Manager, you will be responsible for the full end-to-end management of depot operations. This role demands a strong leader with extensive experience in fresh produce or food manufacturing environments. You will be accountable for all aspects of operations, including compliance, quality, production, warehousing, facilities management, stock management, transport, and health & safety. With approximately 300 staff at site, your role will be pivotal in shaping and developing a cohesive, high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the development and execution of a Continuous Depot Improvement Plan to meet business growth and performance goals.

- Optimise the use of core business tools and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and KPI reporting processes.

- Oversee effective production planning to enhance customer service, efficiency, and profitability.

- Implement stringent inventory management practices to reduce wastage and improve yield across the supply chain.

- Ensure the depot is audit-ready daily, achieving the highest possible ratings for BRC, TFMS, SEDEX, ORGANIC & LEAF audits.

- Manage site health & safety compliance, facilities, and engineering requirements, ensuring efficient and effective operations.

- Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and service providers.

- Lead key quality improvement, supply value chain, and production projects, driving best practices and continuous improvement.

- Communicate effectively across all levels, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational excellence.

- Manage and optimise site labor costs while maintaining high performance levels and compliance.

Qualifications:

- Degree or Postgraduate Qualification.

- HACCP Level 3/4 and Level 3 Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing.

- Proven experience in leading and managing operations, quality, and compliance in a short shelf-life, chilled food processing environment.

- Strong people management skills with a focus on building and sustaining a cohesive, high-performing team.

- Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives and manage complex projects.

- Experienced in hosting and leading BRC & customer audits.

- Excellent data handling and reporting skills, with a meticulous approach to analysing trends and performance.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a critical leadership role within a dynamic and growing company. You will have the chance to influence the future of company's operations, drive continuous improvement, and make a real impact on business and its customers.

Pay: up to £60k + bonus 

If you are a results-driven leader with a passion for excellence in fresh produce or food manufacturing, we would love to hear from you.