At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performance logistics operation and drive commercial success in Aberdeen.
- Company: Join DFDS, a diverse team driving change in logistics.
- Benefits: Life assurance, pension scheme, free ferry travel, and extensive health support.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusivity while growing your career with us.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in logistics leadership and strong team management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Do you want to lead a high‑performance logistics operation and drive both operational and commercial success? Are you an experienced leader who can balance hands‑on depot management with strategic thinking? If so, you could be the newest addition to our team in Aberdeen. Be part of the movement – and play your part.
About the role
As General Manager, you’ll be accountable for the end to end operational and commercial performance of the Aberdeen depot. You’ll lead a team of around 27 colleagues, oversee a fleet of 14 HGVs, and act as the senior on site representative for customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies. As part of the Scottish Senior Management Team, you’ll ensure the depot operates safely, efficiently, and in line with business strategy while driving continuous improvement and growth.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading all depot operations across transport, warehouse, planning, and yard activities
- Managing and developing teams through coaching, performance reviews, and workforce planning
- Overseeing fleet performance, ensuring compliance, utilisation, and cost efficiency
- Owning commercial performance, including P&L inputs, cost control, and margin improvement
- Acting as the senior customer contact, ensuring high service levels and resolving issues proactively
- Driving business growth and continuous improvement across operations
- Managing compliance, planning, reporting, and stakeholder collaboration to meet operational and strategic targets
About you
You’ll bring strong experience in logistics, transport, or depot leadership, with proven ability to manage both operational delivery and commercial performance. You’ll have a solid understanding of transport compliance, including O‑Licence responsibilities, driver hours, and Working Time Directive regulations. You’ll be commercially minded, confident managing budgets, and able to interpret operational data to drive improvements. Strong leadership capability is essential; you’ll be able to motivate teams, hold people accountable, and build a high‑performance culture. You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a confident, structured, and proactive leader who can balance day‑to‑day operational control with strategic thinking. You’ll be a strong communicator, able to build trust with teams, customers, and senior stakeholders, and remain calm when making decisions in a fast‑moving environment.
We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.
Working at DFDS
Join the movement and grow with us. Be a valued member of a diverse team at DFDS and help drive change together. While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.
Now about what we can give you. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:
- Life assurance cover
- Contributory company pension scheme
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips
- Full employee assistance programme including: Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
- Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
- Access to myStrength, our Wellbeing platform, which has plenty of content to support and improve your mental wellness needs.
- Access to mental health first aid and opportunity to join support webinars with a focus on all areas of positive wellbeing.
- Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply Now. If you think your personality, skills, experience, and desire match this role, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your CV as soon as possible, as we’re keen to meet potential candidates on an ongoing basis. We look forward to hearing from you.
General Manager employer: Dfds A/S
At DFDS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Aberdeen where you can lead a high-performance logistics operation. Our commitment to employee development is evident through our comprehensive training programmes and a culture that values diversity and inclusivity. With fantastic benefits such as life assurance, a contributory pension scheme, and extensive wellbeing support, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Dfds A/S.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Dfds A/S. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Dfds A/S, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Dfds A/S and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Dfds A/S. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dfds A/S
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Dfds A/S.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Dfds A/S.
