Darren Bailey
Daventry,Northamptonshire
Summary
Experienced Senior Manager with over 20 years in leading large-scale distribution organisations. Develops and executes strategic initiatives that enhance operational performance and profitability through effective team motivation and stakeholder engagement. Fosters a culture of safety and compliance while delivering customer-focused solutions.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
H&G Recruitment Solutions
08.2023 - Current
- Rebuilt and relaunched Northampton branch post-COVID, focusing on operational recovery and business continuity.
- Monitored team performance and provided motivation to achieve targets, fostering a results-driven culture.
- Supported and developed sales strategies while setting corporate sales targets to align team efforts with company goals.
- Created profit and loss reports for the board of directors.
- Planning 85 – 100 LGV and Van Drivers per day.
- Designed and built websites for various clients, focusing on user experience and functionality.
Planning & Innovation Manager
NEXT PLC
09.2021 - 07.2023
- Developed and evaluated business performance plans, focusing on customer service, process effectiveness, cost control, and resource utilisation.
- Ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the plan, focusing on service, cost and resource.
- Coordinated planning and scheduling of transport movements at strategic and tactical levels to optimise operational efficiency.
- Maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including transport, warehousing, agencies, sub-contractors, and relevant teams to ensure seamless operations.
- Review the composition of the fleet regularly, make recommendations and where appropriate implement improvements.
- Ensure legal compliance across the transport operation.
- Lead a safety-first culture, ensuring all activities reflect this with no compromise.
Owner
Bailey Property Maintenance Services
09.2019 - 07.2021
- Executed painting and decorating for commercial and domestic properties, enhancing aesthetic appeal and client satisfaction.
- Bathroom and Kitchen fitting.
- Conducted property repairs, addressing both external and internal issues to maintain property integrity.
- Completed fence installations, providing secure and visually appealing boundaries for properties.
- Roof Repairs.
- Decking installations.
- Landscaping and Paving.
- Garden Paving.
- Gardening and Pruning.
- Took a professional hiatus to pursue personal interests and skills development.
Senior Account Lead – ASDA Primary Network
NFT Distribution Ltd
04.2018 - 09.2019
- Accountability of £44 Million PA Chilled and Ambient revenue stream across the ASDA network on an open book model (£36m Chilled and £8m Ambient).
- Achieved a 6% margin target through strategic pricing and cost management.
- Working alongside the customer daily, operationally and commercially.
- Supported retailer’s on-site team and NFT key account management to drive new business growth and strengthen supplier relationships for customer and NFT benefit.
- Communicated proactively with customer base as NFT’s operational lead for the contract, championing innovation and promoting business initiatives.
- Led project management for internal development and customer projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Analysis of performance, proposing areas of improvement and delivery.
- To maintain the current revenues for the ambient network, with a robust growth plan over the next 2years engaging relationships and working with other key hauliers.
- Delivery and ownership of the low-cost operating model with timed targets.
- Provided direct reports to main board directors regarding operational performance and strategic initiatives.
- Continually review improvements in service and cost performance with strict delivery windows.
Customer General Manager – Retail Distribution
Eddie Stobart Ltd
10.2012 - 04.2018
- Provided leadership and operational management for a team of Depot Managers and staff. of 9 Depot Managers, 250 Office base staff and shunt drivers. This includes directing operations at 7 contracted and 3 remote sites across the UK which achieve 6,200 - 7,100 deliveries per week.
- Manage and develop 3PL operations Tesco Distribution Centres with an annual budget of £94m Including £10m open book.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency. to enhance efficiency and profitability, overseeing delivery and implementation of national change programmes across the UK.
- Provide high-level strategic, logistical, operational, administrative support and financial control to build consistently improved business performance.
- Assisted COO in designing and planning national strategic business initiatives, delivering financial and non-financial targets.
- Integrate all new business and implement new supporting systems and procedures across the organisation.
- Proactively seek new potential business opportunities and relationships.
- To ensure the legal compliance and overall management and maintenance of 1,166 Trailers, 337Tractor Units and 41 x rigid vehicles.
- Championed corporate responsibility initiatives to enhance efficiency, minimise CO2 emissions, and engaged in fundraising activities for national and local charities.
Project Manager & Business Management
Stobart Group
02.2011 - 10.2012
- Led new 3PL transport/rail operation in DIRFT (Project Lion, Tesco), implementing recruitment of 30 staff and acquisition of 110 trailers, achieving 100% customer performance on launch.
- Directed TUPE transfer at Tesco Doncaster, overseeing transport implementation for 183 drivers and 20 office staff to Stobart.
- Coordinated with clients to define project objectives and requirements, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, timelines, and resources, facilitating smooth execution.
- Facilitated regular team meetings and stakeholder updates, fostering open communication and collaborative problem-solving.
Customer Account / Transport Manager UK
Eddie Stobart Ltd
05.2005 - 02.2011
- Supported operations at Tesco Chesterfield and Goole, maintaining service standards.
- Assisted customers with inquiries at Tesco Brackmills and Tesco Fastway, ensuring a positive shopping experience.
- Provided assistance to customers at Tesco Daventry Campus, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Tesco Middlewich.
- Tesco Doncaster.
Various Roles – Warehouse & Planning
Eddie Stobart Ltd
05.2000 - 05.2005
- Warehouse Operations Manager Units A, B & C (DIRFT Crick).
- Coordinated transport planning and driver control, ensuring timely and effective logistics operations.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
Warehouse Operative
Breconshire Hosiery
06.1994 - 05.2000
- Picked and packed customer orders with accuracy, meeting daily productivity targets.
- Picked orders to meet productivity targets.
- Executed picking and packing of orders in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
- Carried out day-to-day warehouse duties with care and attention, maintaining compliance with safety standards.
Education
NVQ Level 1 -
Modern Slavery in Business Champion
Northampton, NTH01-2024
CPC National
01-2021
Diploma - Professional Development
Coventry University
01-2012
Skills
- Project Management
- Strategic business planning
- Operations management
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Budget forecasting
- Business Development
- Commercial awareness
- Negotiation skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team building
- Leadership
- Coaching
- Customer relationship management
- Decision-Making authority
- Development
- Strategic planning
- Decision-Making authority
Timeline
General Manager
H&G Recruitment Solutions
08.2023 - Current
Planning & Innovation Manager
NEXT PLC
09.2021 - 07.2023
Owner
Bailey Property Maintenance Services
09.2019 - 07.2021
Senior Account Lead – ASDA Primary Network
NFT Distribution Ltd
04.2018 - 09.2019
Customer General Manager – Retail Distribution
Eddie Stobart Ltd
10.2012 - 04.2018
Project Manager & Business Management
Stobart Group
02.2011 - 10.2012
Customer Account / Transport Manager UK
Eddie Stobart Ltd
05.2005 - 02.2011
Various Roles – Warehouse & Planning
Eddie Stobart Ltd
05.2000 - 05.2005
Warehouse Operative
Breconshire Hosiery
06.1994 - 05.2000
NVQ Level 1 -
Modern Slavery in Business Champion
CPC National
Diploma - Professional Development
Coventry University