Morgan McKinley is delighted to be partnering with a key client to recruit an experienced Transport Operations Manager.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated transport professional to join a successful and growing organisation. The successful candidate will take ownership of the transport function, ensuring the safe, compliant, and cost-effective delivery of transport operations while maintaining exceptional service levels for customers.
As a key member of the operations team, you will be responsible for leading transport planning, fleet performance, driver management, compliance, and operational efficiency. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to deliver results within a fast-paced distribution environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all day-to-day transport operations, ensuring the efficient delivery of goods while maintaining the highest levels of customer service.
- Oversee transport planning and route optimisation to maximise fleet utilisation and operational efficiency.
- Ensure full compliance with all transport legislation, including Driver Hours Regulations, Working Time Directive (WTD), Tachograph Regulations, Operator Licence requirements, and Health & Safety standards.
- Manage and develop transport teams, including drivers, transport planners, and support personnel, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor transport KPIs, analysing performance data to drive improvements in service, productivity, vehicle utilisation, and cost control.
- Take ownership of fleet management activities, including vehicle maintenance schedules, defect reporting, roadworthiness, and compliance requirements.
- Manage transport budgets and control operational costs, including fuel expenditure, subcontractor usage, fleet maintenance, and labour costs.
- Build strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders, ensuring service expectations are consistently achieved and exceeded.
- Investigate and resolve operational issues, service failures, and customer concerns in a timely and professional manner.
- Support customs documentation and import/export activities where required, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on transport efficiency, compliance, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
- Ensure robust contingency planning is in place to effectively manage operational disruptions and changing business requirements.
Candidate Profile
- Proven experience in a Transport Manager, Transport Operations Manager, Distribution Manager, or similar transport leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of transport legislation, fleet compliance, driver management, and operational best practices.
- Experience managing transport operations within a distribution, logistics, FMCG, retail, manufacturing, or supply chain environment.
- Sound understanding of Driver Hours Regulations, Tachograph legislation, Working Time Directive (WTD), Operator Licence compliance, and Health & Safety requirements.
- CPC qualification would be highly advantageous.
- Experience managing transport planning, routing, fleet utilisation, and cost optimisation.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Commercially astute with strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience using Transport Management Systems (TMS) and transport-related reporting tools.
