** Howarth Timber Group is proud to have been officially recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026! **
Join our team as a Yard & Transport Manager at Cottingham!
Are you an experienced logistics, transport, or yard operations professional looking for your next challenge? We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Yard & Transport Manager for our First Fix and Second Fix operations at our busy Cottingham branch.
This is a hands-on role where you'll be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and timely movement of materials, overseeing yard operations, managing vehicle and driver performance, and maintaining exceptional standards of customer service. Working closely with branch colleagues, customers, and suppliers, you'll play a vital role in keeping our operation running smoothly while supporting the continued growth and success of the business.
If you're a natural leader with strong transport and operational experience, a commitment to safety and compliance, and a passion for delivering excellent customer service, we'd love to hear from you. Join a company that values expertise, dedication, and continuous improvement.
Putting people at the heart of what we do
With more than 185 years’ trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service and knowledge you can rely on.
With a nationwide network of branches supplying timber, building and plumbing and heating materials, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms and a dedicated manufacturing division supplying timber engineering services, the Howarth Timber Group is focused on providing market leading choice, quality, service and value.
Built on a passion for service and people, we strive to set the highest standards in the quality of our products, in the continuity of supply and in every aspect of customer service and support. Quality products and processes are what drive our passion, but people are central to everything we do and it’s thanks to our loyal workforce that we’ve built a strong and successful business.
Yard & Transport Manager role responsibilities include:
- Manage the daily operations of the yard and transport functions, ensuring efficiency and productivity.
- Lead, motivate, and develop yard and driving teams, promoting a positive and high-performing culture.
- Plan and coordinate vehicle routes to maximise delivery performance and customer satisfaction.
- Ensure all transport activities comply with operator licence requirements, drivers' hours regulations, and company policies.
- Maintain the highest standards of health, safety, housekeeping, and environmental compliance across the site.
- Oversee stock movements, goods-in processes, stock accuracy, and yard organisation.
- Monitor vehicle utilisation, maintenance schedules, and defect reporting procedures.
- Work closely with sales, warehouse, and branch management teams to meet customer requirements and business objectives.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service levels.
- Manage staffing levels, training requirements, and performance management within the team.
What are the requirements to be a part of our team?
- Proven experience in a transport, yard, warehouse, logistics, or operational management role.
- Previous experience managing and developing teams within a fast-paced distribution, builders' merchant, construction supply, or logistics environment.
- Strong knowledge of transport legislation, including Drivers' Hours, Working Time Directive, tachograph regulations, and Operator Licence compliance.
- Experience in route planning, fleet management, and delivery scheduling.
- Demonstrable understanding of health and safety requirements within a yard, warehouse, or transport operation.
- Experience in stock control, inventory management, and materials handling processes.
- Strong leadership, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively under pressure.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
- Confident user of Microsoft Office and transport, stock, or warehouse management systems.
- Availability to work full-time, Monday to Friday inclusive, plus alternate Saturday mornings (0800-1200).
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Sideloader or Forklift Truck (FLT) licence and/or experience managing forklift operations.
- Experience within the timber, building materials, construction or merchanting sector.
- Knowledge of First Fix and Second Fix products and their distribution requirements.
- Experience managing vehicle maintenance schedules and fleet compliance.
- Full manual driving licence.
Personal Attributes
- Strong leader who leads by example.
- Results-driven with a focus on operational excellence.
- Proactive and able to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Committed to delivering outstanding customer service.
- Safety-conscious with a strong compliance mindset.
- Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic operational environment.
Why choose Howarth Timber & Building Supplies for your next role?
Howarth Timber is a family-owned company with a desire to provide colleague benefits that are truly valuable. Benefits include:
- 31 days’ holiday, inclusive of Statutory Bank Holidays
- Option to buy up to an additional 5 days’ annual leave per annum or sell up to 3 days’ annual leave per annum
- Length of service awards
- Cycle to work scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Company sick pay
- Enhanced paternity and maternity pay
- Colleague referral bonus scheme — if you refer someone for an HGV Driver role and they successfully complete their probationary period, you’ll receive a £500 bonus. T&Cs apply.
- Employee Assistance Programme, (24/7 helpline, counselling sessions, legal, debt and life management advice line)
- Benefits Hub (inc discounts on gift cards, travel, cinema tickets, to name a few)
- Colleague Merchant Branch discount
- Opportunity to participate in a volunteering role for one working day per year – fully paid by the Company
- Excellent training and development and scope for career progression
Application deadline: 25th August 2026
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- Are you available to work full-time, Monday to Friday inclusive, plus alternate Saturday mornings (0800-1200)?
Experience:
- working in a timber/building merchanting environment: 2 years (required)
- colleague supervisory: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Sideloader (preferred) or FLT licence (required)
Work Location: In person
