A depot leadership role where your decisions keep things moving. If you thrive under pressure, lead from the front, and take real pride in operational standards, Watson Fuels wants to hear from you.
This is a hands‑on, office‑based role at the heart of the West Moors depot operations and the surrounding satellite depots in Dorset. You will be a visible leader for your drivers, a key link between planning and delivery, and the person who keeps things moving when the day throws up its inevitable challenges.
What the role involves
- Owning the day‑to‑day and in‑day delivery planning for the depot, producing schedules that meet customer requirements and exceed volume targets.
- Managing in‑day operational challenges including late orders, driver availability, and vehicles off the road, replanning at pace to protect service for priority customers.
- Providing hands‑on leadership and supervision of drivers, managing attendance, timekeeping, and adherence to schedules.
- Ensuring full compliance with driver hours, tachograph requirements, and transport regulations.
- Acting as a role model for HSSEQ standards, delivering toolbox talks and safety briefings, and ensuring incidents and near misses are properly reported and investigated.
- Monitoring daily KPIs including on‑time delivery and vehicle utilisation, escalating risks and issues where needed.
- Supporting driver inductions, coaching, and performance management to maintain consistent standards.
- Contributing to audits, inspections, continuous improvement initiatives, and a positive depot culture.
- Liaising with supply, customer service, and fleet teams to keep operations running smoothly.
What Watson Fuels is looking for
- Experience in logistics, transport, or distribution in a supervisory or planning role.
- Proven ability to plan and manage vehicles and drivers in a fast‑paced environment.
- Confident handling day‑to‑day operational challenges such as breakdowns, absence, and delivery delays.
- Sound knowledge of driver hours, tachograph compliance, and Working Time Directive requirements.
- Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage and motivate a driver team.
- A safety‑first mindset and a high standard of personal conduct and professionalism.
- Experience handling investigations, disciplinaries, and performance management is desirable, as is knowledge of regulatory bodies such as HMRC, VOSA, and the Environment Agency.
What's on offer
- Competitive salary
- 10% discretionary annual bonus
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Matched pension contributions
- Private medical and dental cover, with single cover paid by Watson Fuels
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Perkbox rewards, savings, and wellbeing perks
- Cycle to Work and Home and Tech schemes
- Free annual flu jab and eye care
- Long service awards
- Mileage paid at 55p per mile for business travel
Why this role could be your next step
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced logistics or transport professional who is ready to take real ownership of depot operations and lead a team in a business that genuinely invests in its people. Whether you are currently working as a transport planner, shift supervisor, or depot team leader, if you bring the right experience, work ethic, and leadership instinct, we would love to hear from you.
