Morgan McKinley is exclusively representing a key client in the FMCG sector on the appointment of a Transport Operations Manager.
This is a senior operational leadership opportunity with a well-established, high-volume FMCG organisation operating a national network of distribution depots. The successful candidate will play a critical role in leading transport operations, driving service excellence and ensuring the continued development of a high-performing, safe and engaged workforce.
With responsibility for a team of approximately 200 colleagues through a structure of direct reports, this role will have significant influence across the wider distribution operation and will be instrumental in delivering the organisation's operational, customer and financial objectives.
The business has a strong reputation within its sector and combines the scale and capability of a national operation with a strong focus on people, customers and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transport or distribution leader to join a growing organisation and make a genuine impact at a senior operational level.
The Opportunity
Reporting into the senior operations leadership team, the Transport Operations Manager will have full accountability for the performance of the transport function, with a particular focus on service, cost, compliance, productivity, employee engagement and continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will lead through a team of managers and supervisors, creating a culture of accountability and high performance while ensuring the operation remains safe, compliant and customer-focused.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a large-scale transport operation of approximately 200 colleagues through a team of direct reports.
- Take full accountability for departmental performance against agreed service, cost, productivity, compliance and engagement KPIs.
- Develop, coach and performance-manage direct reports, creating a strong pipeline of capable operational leaders.
- Ensure agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and customer service standards are consistently achieved.
- Plan and execute the day-to-day operational strategy, ensuring resources are aligned to business and customer requirements.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across people, processes, systems and ways of working.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence, consistency and accountability across the transport function.
- Work collaboratively with warehouse, commercial, supply chain, HR, finance and other business functions to deliver wider organisational objectives.
- Monitor the performance of external transport service providers and ensure agreed standards and KPIs are achieved.
- Use operational data and reporting to identify trends, opportunities and areas requiring intervention.
- Ensure accurate and timely completion of operational reporting and performance reviews.
- Lead colleague development through structured performance reviews, appraisals, PDPs, coaching and regular feedback.
- Effectively manage absence, performance and employee relations matters in line with company policy and employment legislation.
- Ensure clear and consistent communication across the transport operation, keeping colleagues informed of business developments, operational changes and priorities.
- Maintain the highest standards of health, safety, compliance, housekeeping and safe systems of work across the operation.
- Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive working environment where colleagues are encouraged to perform at their best.
- Act as a key change leader, successfully mobilising people and processes through periods of operational and organisational change.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will be an experienced operational leader with a proven track record of managing large-scale teams within FMCG, retail, logistics, 3PL, distribution or a similarly fast-paced environment.
You will be comfortable operating in a high-volume, customer-focused environment where service, cost, productivity and compliance are critical to success.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven leadership experience managing large teams of 150+ colleagues, ideally through multiple layers of management.
- A minimum of 5 years' management experience within a sizeable manufacturing, processing, logistics, transport or distribution environment.
- Strong experience within FMCG, retail, 3PL, multi-channel, foodservice or high-volume distribution environments.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering consistently high levels of customer service while managing productivity and operational performance.
- A strong understanding of transport and distribution operations, including the use of telematics and operational technology.
- Proven ability to manage against demanding budgets, KPIs and performance targets.
- Strong knowledge of health & safety legislation and compliance within a distribution or transport environment.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and embedding operational change across people, processes and systems.
- Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret operational data and translate insights into practical actions.
- Proven ability to coach, motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with colleagues, peers and senior leadership.
- Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to assess operational risk, commercial impact and wider business implications.
- Resilient, adaptable and self-aware, with a dynamic and engaging leadership style.
- A relevant business degree or equivalent professional experience is desirable.
Leadership Profile
We are looking for a visible, engaging and commercially-minded leader who can inspire large teams and create a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
You will be someone who naturally puts the customer at the centre of operational decision-making, while balancing service, cost, safety and colleague engagement.
You will be confident challenging the status quo, identifying opportunities for improvement and influencing stakeholders across the wider business. Equally, you will understand the importance of bringing people with you through change and developing the next generation of operational leaders.
Core Leadership Competencies
Customer Focus
Understands the needs of internal and external customers and translates these into clear operational priorities and actions.
Leadership & People Development
Creates high-performing teams through effective coaching, communication, accountability and development.
Change & Continuous Improvement
Embraces change, challenges existing processes and proactively identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, service and consistency.
Communication & Influence
Communicates clearly and confidently at all levels, from frontline colleagues through to senior leadership, and is capable of influencing key stakeholders across the organisation.
Collaboration
Builds strong relationships across functions and works effectively with operational and commercial stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
Performance & Accountability
Sets clear expectations, uses data to drive decision-making and takes ownership for delivering agreed operational and financial outcomes.
What's on Offer
This is an opportunity to join a high-profile FMCG organisation with a significant national distribution footprint, where you will have genuine scope to influence operational performance and shape the future direction of the transport function.
The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, alongside access to extensive training, development and career progression opportunities.
