Department Manager, John Lewis Transport in Milton Keynes

About the role

As a Department Manager, JL Primary Transport, you will need to provide strong leadership across the national Transport operations network, with full responsibility and accountability for managing the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week national transport operation.You will lead a team of Managers, Transport office Partners, Partner Drivers and Agency Drivers. Ensure full legal compliance with current EU driving legislation and the Working Time Directive. To deliver exceptional on-time, in-full customer service, whilst ensuring that the department is cost-effective. To influence the future Transport strategy using innovation and technology to ensure continual success of the operation and to meet the growth requirements of the business. To deliver industry-leading transport strategies across the operation and as part of the wider Transport management team.

At a glance

Role Title: Department Manager, JL Primary Transport

Position: Permanent position

Location: Magna Park 1 NDC (Milton Keynes), with part of your responsibilities in our Northampton National Distribution Centre

Hours of Work: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. 06:00 - 14:00, Sunday to Thursday. Please note that flexibility is required based on business needs.

Key responsibilities:

• Ensure full legislative compliance across all transport operations, including EU driving regulations, the Working Time Directive, and health & safety guidelines.




• Oversee a diverse fleet (tractors, trailers, and rigid vehicles) while driving progress toward operational sustainability goals.




• Serve as network Duty Manager on a planned rotating basis (24/7 operational cover), supporting branches, National Distribution Centres, and the wider transport network.




• Support the development and delivery of strategic business plans for the Primary John Lewis Transport.




• Manage operational budgets, control costs, and conduct variance and root-cause analyses.




• Work collaboratively across Central Transport, Customer Delivery Hubs, Waitrose, and e-commerce teams to share best practices and drive fleet efficiencies.




• Lead operational change constructively, supporting colleagues and team members (Partners) through skill development and coaching.




• Recognise team contributions and manage performance constructively, supporting direct reports to develop their leadership skills.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Full, valid UK driving licence.




• Experience of leading a team in a Transport or Distribution environment.




• Certificate of Professional Competency qualification for Transport Managers (Road Haulage) or able to achieve this qualification within a discussed timeframe

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Experience of leading a team of managers




• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely qualification




• National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) General Certificate




• Familiar with vehicle telematics systems, preferably Microlise




• Familiar with transport planning and execution systems, preferably Microlise or Paragon




• Familiar with transport compliance software, particularly Vision




• Familiarity with fleet management software, particularly JAAMA (Workshop maintenance).

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.