Transport First Line Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're an inclusive business - for our Partners and for our customers, reflecting and connecting with the diverse communities that we serve. We want people from all walks of life to feel valued for their individuality, thrive in our business and share a sense of belonging. To find out more about Diversity & Inclusion in the John Lewis Partnership click here ttps://www.jlpjobs.com/about/diversityandinclusion/.

Are you looking for a leadership role where you support a transport team? As a Transport First Line Manager within the Partnership, you will oversee daily operations. You will manage a team of Partners and agency colleagues, ensuring that our 7-day-a-week transport operation is productive, compliant, and meets service targets.

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

 At a glance

Salary range - The salary range for this role is £36,600 to £57,600 per annum depending on skills and experience, plus Enhanced Hours Premium where applicable

Contract type - This is a 12 month Fixed term contract, internally known as a Secondment

Working pattern/flexible working - Between the hours of 05:00-23:00, including rota’d weekend working

Hours of Work - 37.5 hours per week

Location - Coulsdon - Customer Fulfilment Centre

Key Responsibilities

- Safety first: You’ll look out for everyone, ensuring we’re always compliant with Health & Safety and EU driving regulations. (Could we put this one first?)

- Leading with care: Oversee the performance and wellbeing of your team.

- Championing growth: Drive continuous operational development and build high-performing teams through structured coaching, succession planning, and upskilling initiatives.

- Driving efficiency: Manage productivity and resources to maintain budgets. Identify and implement process improvements.

- Stepping up: Act as the deputy for the Transport Shift Manager; support them with operational tasks as required.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

- Be 18 or older—that’s a must for this kind of work.

- Proven experience in a Transport or Distribution management role.

- A strong knowledge of EU and Working Time regulations, plus Health & Safety legislation.

- Experience managing disciplinary procedures

Desirable skills/experience you may have

- A full UK Manual Driving Licence (with no more than 6 penalty points).

- Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

- Confident using Google Sheets and Google Docs





Closing Date:

• November 12, 2026
• Pay:

• £36,600.00 - £57,600.00 Annual
• Contract Type:

• Temporary
• Hours of Work:

• Between the hours of 05:00-23:00, including rota’d weekend working
• Job Level:

Partnership Level 8

Where You'll Be Working:

Coulsdon DFC (Waitrose & Partners), 11 Ullswater Crescent, London, London, CR5 2HR

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note:

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.