Area Manager

Job Title: Area Manager (Depots)

Department: Commercial

Hours: 40 hours per week (flexibility required)

Reports To: Commercial Manager

Salary: -55,000 per annum plus car Allowance: -5,000 per annum

Company Overview

An established, family-owned dairy business with a long history of supplying high-quality products, supporting local farmers and communities, and delivering excellent customer service.

Our client believes in teamwork, supportive people management and valuing employees and customers alike. Its aim is to build a positive, collaborative culture that makes the company a first choice for both employees and customers over the long term.

Role Overview

The Area Manager will be responsible for the leadership and operational performance of the company''s distribution depots, excluding the main Tewkesbury site.

Using strong situational leadership skills, the successful candidate will provide guidance and support to Depot Managers, ensuring efficient, target-driven and safety-focused operations across all locations. They will champion company values and standards, drive continuous improvement, and ensure operational performance meets commercial demands.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach and support Depot Managers, fostering a positive, collaborative and performance-driven culture.

• Oversee recruitment, training, performance management and succession planning across all depots.

• Set clear objectives, support employee development and assist with HR matters where required.

Operational Management & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee day-to-day depot performance, ensuring operations are efficient and meet business and customer demands.

• Monitor KPIs, implement operational improvements and drive change using LEAN principles.

• Ensure SOPs are consistently followed and resources are effectively managed across all sites.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety, environmental, health and safety, and transport legislation.

• Promote a safe working environment and maintain consistent company standards and procedures across all depots.

Commercial Performance & Customer Service

• Drive excellent customer service and operational performance across all locations.

• Manage capacity planning and resource levels in line with commercial demand.

• Work closely with Sales and Marketing to support business growth, efficiency and profitability.

• Monitor financial performance, including P&L, budgets and operational reporting.

Travel & Flexibility

• Travel regularly between depot locations, attend management meetings and provide operational support when required.

• Undertake occasional overnight stays and provide additional support to the wider business as needed.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven leadership experience managing multiple sites, depots or distribution operations.

• Strong people management skills, with a coaching-led approach to developing and motivating teams.

• Experience driving operational performance, continuous improvement and organisational change.

• Knowledge of relevant legislation, particularly food safety, health and safety, environmental and transport compliance.

• Good understanding of P&L, financial analysis, KPIs and performance reporting.

• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results under pressure.

• Commercial awareness and a customer-focused mindset.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly, including occasional overnight stays.

Interested, call SourceCo Recruitment on (phone number removed) now and ask for Bran!