Oak Tyres - TRANSPORT MANAGER
The Company
Oak Group Holdings Ltd is a dynamic industry leader in the UK tyre market, built on a foundation of logistical excellence, innovative product development, and a rapidly expanding retail footprint. With annual revenue of circa £350m, the group consists primarily of Oak Tyres UK Ltd – a tyre wholesale and distribution company, Davanti World Ltd – an international tyre brand with a customer base spanning more than 80 countries, and ETB - a large regional wholesaler and network of over 50 autocentres.
We are a fast-growing and commercially driven organisation with a passion for delivering exceptional customer service and harnessing the power of technology to drive improvement and efficiency.
The Role
As Transport Manager, the successful candidate will work closely with the Operations Support Manager, senior leadership team, depot management teams and wider operations function to oversee the safe, compliant and efficient management of the vehicle fleet across Oak Tyres and ETB.
The fleet currently consists of 260 vans and 12 HGVs, supporting both wholesale distribution and retail operations across the group. This is a key role within the business and will be central to ensuring that all vehicles, drivers, systems and transport processes are managed effectively, legally and in line with the company’s operational requirements.
This role is considered pivotal in supporting the company’s continued growth and integration of ETB into Oak Group Holdings. The right candidate will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact by improving fleet compliance, vehicle availability, driver standards, cost control and overall transport efficiency across both businesses.
The Transport Manager will be responsible for the implementation, monitoring and continual improvement of fleet management processes across the operation. We pride ourselves on delivering a best-in-class customer experience, and the transport function plays a critical role in ensuring that our products and services are delivered safely, reliably and efficiently.
You will be working with teams across wholesale depots, retail autocentres and support functions, with varied experience levels and operational requirements. Accuracy, safety, compliance and service delivery are at the forefront of what we do. This role will require strong leadership, practical problem-solving and the ability to drive consistent standards across a large and diverse fleet.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all vehicles are maintained in a safe, roadworthy and compliant condition. This will include managing vehicle inspections, routine maintenance, MOTs, servicing schedules, defect reporting, accident follow-up and supplier performance.
The role will also include oversight of driver compliance and performance. This will involve ensuring that drivers are appropriately trained, competent and aware of their responsibilities in relation to daily vehicle checks, defect reporting, safe driving standards, tachograph compliance, drivers’ hours, working time requirements and company procedures.
We invest heavily in continuous IT development and fleet technology to improve safety, compliance, efficiency and customer service. As part of the role, you will be expected to use fleet management systems, telematics, reporting tools and data to monitor performance, identify trends and recommend improvements across the transport operation. Because naturally, even vans now generate enough data to make a spaceship feel under-monitored.
In this role, you will split your time between visiting wholesale depots, retail locations and head office functions. You will be required to travel across Oak Tyres and ETB locations to ensure the wider team are following consistent transport processes and that compliance standards are being maintained. This will require a degree of flexibility for travel, including occasional overnight stays where necessary.
The role will involve an extensive induction period to ensure you have the full knowledge to excel in the position. This will include becoming familiar with existing fleet systems, compliance processes, maintenance arrangements, transport procedures, site operations and key stakeholders across Oak Tyres and ETB.
We are seeking a highly organised, commercially aware and determined individual who is motivated by success, continuous improvement and operational excellence. The right candidate will be confident working with drivers, managers, suppliers and senior stakeholders, while also being comfortable challenging poor standards where required.
This is a role for somebody with a passion for transport compliance, fleet performance, operational detail and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will be expected to bring structure, consistency and accountability to a large fleet operation while supporting the wider business in delivering safe, efficient and reliable service.
Duties include:
- Managing the vehicle fleet across Oak Tyres and ETB, consisting of approximately 260 vans and 12 HGVs.
- Ensuring all vehicles are maintained in a safe, roadworthy and legally compliant condition.
- Arranging and monitoring routine vehicle maintenance, servicing, MOTs, safety inspections and defect rectification.
- Managing HGV maintenance schedules in line with Operator Licence requirements and DVSA expectations.
- Monitoring van and HGV compliance across the group, ensuring all records are accurate, complete and available for audit.
- Overseeing daily vehicle checks and ensuring defects are reported, actioned and closed out appropriately.
- Communicating with drivers to ensure they are kept up to date with relevant training, qualifications, policies and procedures.
- Monitoring driver licence checks, driver eligibility and compliance with company requirements.
- Supporting compliance with drivers’ hours, tachograph rules and working time requirements for HGV drivers.
- Reviewing telematics data to monitor driver behaviour, safety performance, fuel efficiency and vehicle utilisation.
- Investigating transport-related accidents, incidents, vehicle damage and near misses.
- Working with Health & Safety to conduct transport-related risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures.
- Supporting the development and delivery of driver training, including vehicle checks, defect reporting, safe driving, fuel efficiency and accident prevention.
- Working with depot managers and regional managers to ensure transport standards are followed consistently across all sites.
- Organising and maintaining the efficiency of the wider transport service.
- Supporting vehicle allocation, replacement planning, defleeting and procurement decisions.
- Monitoring vehicle downtime and working with suppliers to reduce delays and improve repair turnaround times.
- Managing relationships with external garages, leasing providers, repair agents, vehicle suppliers and telematics providers.
- Reviewing fleet operating costs and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary spend.
- Supporting insurance claims and accident management processes where required.
- Maintaining accurate fleet records, including vehicle details, service history, MOT dates, inspection records, defects, repairs and compliance documentation.
- Producing regular transport and fleet reports for senior management.
- Identifying areas for improvement in current fleet and transport processes.
- Developing and implementing consistent transport procedures across Oak Tyres and ETB.
- Supporting the integration of ETB fleet processes into Oak Group Holdings standards.
- Ensuring transport activities support customer service, operational efficiency and business growth.
- Supporting shift planning, driver availability and transport resource planning where required.
- Keeping up to date with relevant transport legislation and industry best practice.
- Driving a culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement across the transport operation.
Required Attributes:
- Self-motivated with a desire to further their career by showcasing abilities.
- Strong leadership and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent process and time management.
- Strong understanding of vehicle compliance and transport operations.
- Confident communicator with the ability to engage drivers, managers, suppliers and senior stakeholders.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Commercially aware with the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- A dedicated team player.
- Ability to work in a team and on own initiative.
- Practical problem-solving skills.
- Confidently challenging standards and driving accountability.
- Adaptable to change.
- Comfortable working across multiple sites.
- Strong IT skills, including Excel, fleet systems and reporting tools.
- Willingness to travel.
Desired Qualifications:
- Transport Manager CPC qualification.
- Strong knowledge of Operator Licence requirements.
- Experience managing a mixed fleet of vans and HGVs.
- Experience within logistics, distribution, wholesale, retail automotive, tyre operations or a multi-site business.
- Knowledge of DVSA standards, tachograph compliance, drivers’ hours and working time regulations.
- Experience using fleet management systems and telematics platforms.
- Experience managing external maintenance providers and vehicle suppliers.
- Experience supporting accident investigations, insurance claims and driver performance reviews.
- IOSH or other relevant Health & Safety qualification would be advantageous.
Pay: £48,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
