Head of Fleet in Basingstoke

Working in partnership with M&S, at Gist we deliver industry-leading logistics and supply chain transformation. We value, celebrate, and believe in the power of individuality and strive to create a work environment where everyone can be themselves. We want you to join us, bring your authentic self to work and unlock your full potential.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for the strategy, performance and future transformation of our fleet network, supporting a complex, fast-moving supply chain serving one of the UK’s most recognisable retailers. You’ll take ownership of the full lifecycle of our UK & Ireland fleet, from acquisition and maintenance through to performance, innovation and sustainability. Leading a geographically dispersed team and overseeing our network of internal Vehicle Maintenance Units (VMUs), you’ll ensure our fleet operates safely, efficiently and is ready for the future of logistics. This role offers the opportunity to shape the next generation of fleet strategy, including technology adoption, low-emission vehicles, and operational transformation aligned with M&S Plan A sustainability commitments.

What’s in it for you? Gist is an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and evolving business built on our core values. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for Gist just that little bit more special:

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
• Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
• Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support – including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first-class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to help with your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Hours: 37.5 hours
Working Pattern: Monday- Friday
Location: UK/ Nationwide

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Fleet Strategy & Transformation: Develop and deliver the long-term fleet and maintenance strategy across the UK & Ireland, ensuring the network, asset mix, and operating model support business growth, operational performance, and sustainability ambitions.
• Operational Fleet Leadership: Provide strategic oversight of fleet operations and internal VMU network, ensuring high fleet availability, effective maintenance programmes and strong operational performance across the estate.
• Commercial & Financial Performance: Own fleet financial performance, managing multimillion-pound budgets and optimising total cost of ownership across procurement, fuel, maintenance and asset disposal.
• Compliance, Safety & Risk Management: Champion a strong safety culture across the fleet function, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements while proactively managing operational risk and performance improvement.
• Supplier & Industry Partnerships: Lead strategic partnerships with manufacturers, service providers and suppliers, driving performance, innovation and long-term value through effective contract and relationship management.
• Future Fleet & Sustainability: Position the fleet for the future by leading the adoption of emerging technologies, telematics and low-emission vehicle strategies in line with the organisation’s sustainability goals.
• Leadership & Capability Building: Lead and develop a high-performing fleet team across multiple locations, building future capability through succession planning and talent development initiatives.

Your skills and experience will include:

• Significant leadership experience within large-scale fleet or transport operations
• A track record of delivering fleet strategy, operational transformation or cost optimisation
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with experience managing large operational budgets
• Deep knowledge of fleet operations, vehicle technologies, VMU environments and transport compliance
• Experience leading supplier procurement, contract negotiation and strategic partnerships
• Proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed teams
• Experience operating within a unionised or complex operational environment desirable
• Degree or HND in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience

At Gist we are united by our core values; with safety and people at the heart of everything we do, we are progressive, accountable, collaborative, and ethical. Our objective is to establish a performance-focused environment that is fair and inclusive, where everyone can develop, and connect meaningfully to their manager, the Gist vision, and M&S. We are fiercely protective of everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing, and align firmly to M&S’s sustainability commitments in Plan A. Gist will play an integral part in the M&S journey as it pushes boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring era. As part of the M&S group, there’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Join us and make an immediate impact.

Gist aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment. If it’s meaningful to you, it’s important to us.