Head of Fleet & Compliance

About the roleThe Waitrose Supply Chain team is at the heart of our commitment to delivering quality and excellence to our customers across the UK. We are a collaborative group of professionals dedicated to transforming our logistics network into a more sustainable, efficient, and future-ready operation. As we navigate a period of significant optimisation, we are focused on integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative fuel solutions to meet our ambitious Partnership Plan targets.

We are seeking a visionary Head of Fleet and Compliance to define our long-term fleet strategy and uphold the highest standards of safety across the business. This pivotal role requires a leader who can balance commercial acumen with a passion for sustainability, ensuring our fleet of circa 4,500 vehicles remains resilient and agile. You will be instrumental in driving our transition to alternative fuels and fostering a culture of operational excellence and legal compliance.

Salary - £120,000-£185,000

Contract type - Permanent

Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office, other Partnership locations and home. The leadership team aims for 3 days a week in the office or stores to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings.

Location - This role is based in our Bracknell Office, with an expectation to travel nationally as required to support our distribution network.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute a pan-Partnership fleet strategy that encompasses vehicle specification, procurement, and a transition to alternative fuels like hydrogen and electric to support ESG goals.

• Act as the primary lead for transport legal compliance, ensuring robust auditing processes and safety standards are embedded across the entire network.

• Manage a sizeable budget, leading commercial negotiations with third-party suppliers and vendors to ensure maximum return on investment and cost-effective asset management.

• Champion the adoption of new in-cab technologies, trailer designs, and systems to streamline supply chain management and enhance the end-to-end customer journey.

• Build influential relationships with cross-functional internal teams and represent the Partnership on major industry bodies such as Logistics UK, RHA, and DeFRA.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Significant experience in a senior fleet management position within a complex logistics, supply chain, or fulfilment environment.

• Proven track record of leading large-scale commercial fleet negotiations and managing complex contracts with third-party service providers.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and empower large, geographically dispersed teams through significant organisational change.

• Deep understanding of transport law and safety regulations, with the ability to mitigate risks and influence future legislation through industry lobbying.

• A strong commercial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and articulate financial impact to create powerful business cases.

• Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence - National/International

About 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.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.