Distribution Shift Manager

Warburtons Limited; Banbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food distribution company in Banbury seeks a Distribution Shift Manager to lead a team of drivers, ensure compliance, and maintain service quality. The role offers a permanent contract with opportunities for personal development and a competitive salary. Suitable candidates should have experience in team management and transport operations with a good knowledge of SAP. Join us and be part of our journey in delivering exceptional service.

Benefits

Discretionary profit share

Extra annual leave purchase option

Award-winning pension scheme

Life assurance

Discounts on products

Access to physiotherapy

24/7 confidential helpline

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Shift Manager with team management skills.
• Knowledge of transport operations and regulations.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring drivers.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Class 1 & Class 2 Drivers ensuring timely deliveries.
• Maintain compliance with transport operator regulations.
• Drive improved performance within the team.

Skills

Team management

Compliance knowledge

SAP knowledge

Health and safety understanding

Education

Transport Managers CPC (beneficial but not essential)

Tools

SAP ERP

Driver telematics systems

Job description

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Join the Distribution Team at Warburtons state of the art cross docking centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and become part of our national network of Distribution Operations across the UK.

Since 1876, we have earned a stellar reputation for delivering reliable, high-quality products across the UK. As we continue to grow, we want YOU to be part of our journey and help us maintain our first‑class service for our customers.

As a DVSA Earned Recognition Operator, we are known for consistently meeting high standards of safety and compliance and we believe in creating an environment that’s inclusive, open, and progressive. We are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees, at Warburtons, you’ll find ample opportunities to develop your career while contributing to our success.

Why Join Us?

• Permanent Contract for stability
• Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire
• Hours: 42 hours per week, 4 on 4 off rota (which will include both days and nights)
• Salary: Competitive, based on experience

We understand the value of a work‑life balance and offer:

• A slice of the annual profits (discretionary profit share)
• Family time is important to us, so as well as your holiday entitlement, we’ll give you the opportunity to purchase up to an extra week’s annual leave
• Award‑winning pension scheme with contributions up to 7% (option to increase after 5 years to 12%)
• Life assurance
• Products you will love along with deals and discounts for you and your family through our Extra Dough website
• Continued investment in your personal development
• Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy with your daily brew!
• Support for your health and well‑being, including access to free physiotherapy, 24/7 access to a confidential helpline for practical advice, and a comprehensive occupational health service – is the 24/7 helpline Grocery Aid, unlimited access to GP appointments and more through Help@Hand

What You'll Be Doing?

As Distribution Shift Manager, you’ll be at the heart of our operations, ensuring smooth, efficient processes while upholding our reputation for exceptional service. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a team of both Class 1 & Class 2 Drivers who will be transporting products to our loyal consumers on time and in full, taking responsibility for all people management activities throughout the employee lifecycle to drive improved performance and build a positive and motivated team where everyone is engaged. We will have around 140 drivers in total, running 55 store delivery routes out of the site, and a primary product movement operation running 24 routes per day across the region and UK.
• Maintaining compliance with transport operator’s regulations and driver regulations (and Warburtons Distribution training material) ensuring continued legal transport operation.
• Ensuring your team and vehicles are compliant with transport operator regulations
• Managing a team of Distribution Drivers to ensure agreed performance levels are achieved while maintaining high standards of customer service.
• Working on a 4 on 4 off rota, around 42 hours per week (both days and nights)
• Previous experience as a Shift Manager with experience in managing teams, coaching, and mentoring.
• Knowledge of Transport Operations and maintaining standards of the operator’s licence, Tachograph and WTD regulations.
• Good working knowledge of SAP, specifically the ERP module
• Understanding of Health, Safety, and Environment
• Experience with Driver telematics systems
• If you have your Transport Managers CPC that would be beneficial (but not essential)

About Us

In Banbury you’ll find our newly built distribution and consolidation centre, situated on the junction of the M40, giving us the very best access to the UK’s motorway network. With almost 200 drivers and warehouse colleagues working on various shift patterns, it’s the biggest purpose‑built distribution site for Warburtons, at 85,000 square feet.

We are currently delivering over 4 million items to our customers and Cross Docking 85,000 stacks of bread, this is equivalent to 559 double deck trailers or 965 single deck trailers, every four weeks. And we’re still growing!

Banbury is now a dedicated Test Centre for License Acquisition, developing our own talented bunch of drivers and supporting them through their required driving licences.

We respect and value difference. We look to create an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, or any other aspect which makes them unique, are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work, is the right thing to do.