Depot Manager in Caldicot

About Us

Established in 1965, The Lockwood Group is a family‑run business with over 350 employees operating across seven UK sites. Our diverse activities span UK haulage, warehousing, frozen food production, and co‑packing solutions. As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced and proactive Depot Manager to take full ownership of the day‑to‑day performance of our Caldicot depot.

About The Role

You will act as the primary point of contact for all site activity. The role is responsible for delivering a fully integrated, end‑to‑end warehousing and transport operation, including the management of a fleet of vehicles based at the depot. You will ensure Lockwood Group best practice is consistently embedded across warehousing, transport, people and compliance. Communication is critical to this role – acting as a central link between Caldicot, Head Office teams and other depots to support efficient, joined‑up Group operations. This is a hands‑on operational leadership role. You will lead by example, maintaining high standards of safety, cleanliness, accuracy and organisation, while being prepared to step into the operation when required. With Caldicot being a strategic growth location for the Group, you will actively develop workforce capability, promote continuous improvement and adopt a growth‑focused, forward‑thinking mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full accountability for all day‑to‑day depot operations, ensuring warehousing and transport activities meet customer, contractual and internal requirements.
• Manage and control warehouse operations including goods in, storage, stock control, order picking, loading and dispatch, ensuring accuracy, efficiency and space optimisation.
• Ensure warehouse layout, processes and workflows are designed and maintained to support safe, efficient and scalable operations.
• Lead, motivate and develop warehouse operatives, HGV and FLT driver teams, ensuring full adherence to company policies, procedures and values.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, site presentation and equipment condition, taking ownership of cleanliness, safety and compliance across the depot.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, including safe systems of work, risk assessments, FLT operations and manual handling.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date working knowledge of relevant transport and warehousing legislation, ensuring environmental, quality and legal standards are met at all times.
• Work collaboratively with Head Office teams to identify, implement and sustain cost‑saving initiatives, process improvements and productivity gains across warehousing and transport.
• Monitor operational performance, conduct and attendance, taking timely and appropriate action in line with company policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Group Maintenance Manager to ensure the fleet remains fully compliant and maintained to the highest operational standards, while developing strong, effective working relationships with local service providers.
• Communicate effectively with other depots, customers and stakeholders to ensure smooth stock movements, shared resource planning and consistent service delivery.
• Work closely with HR to manage recruitment, onboarding, training and employee relations, ensuring staffing levels support operational demand.
• Actively identify training and upskilling opportunities to build a flexible, capable and engaged workforce.
• Ensure clear, meaningful and effective shift handovers are completed, maintaining continuity, accountability and operational control.

Qualifications

• Transport Manager CPC (advantageous but not essential).
• Full UK driving licence.

Experience, Skills & Competencies

• Strong experience within a logistics and warehousing environment.
• Proven ability to manage warehouse operations, people and performance in a fast‑paced setting.
• Solid understanding of warehouse management systems (WMS) and stock control processes.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused communicator with the confidence to make decisions and take ownership.
• Demonstrated ability to manage customer expectations and consistently deliver high service levels.
• Collaborative approach to working across multiple teams, depots and functions.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Candidates selected for the next stage will be contacted for an initial screening before final shortlisting. Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 23 February.