LOCATION: Stonehouse, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
HOURS: 08.30 – 17.00 Monday to Friday
START DATE: Immediate for the right candidate.
SALARY: £40,000pa - £50,000pa + Benefits depending on experience
PERMANENT JOB
INDHS
Nailsworth Office: 01453 832468
E: [email protected]
www.ess-emp.co.uk
Vacancy - Transport Manager
We are looking for a Transport Manager to build a transport operation that sets the standard.
We are looking for an experienced, CPC-qualified Transport Manager who wants the opportunity to build something exceptional.
This is not a role for someone who simply keeps vehicles compliant and plans tomorrow's routes.
It is an opportunity to redesign an entire transport operation, challenge every existing process and build a best-in-class transport function that delivers outstanding customer service whilst operating safely, efficiently, and profitably.
You will inherit a fleet of 13 x 18 tonne HGVs, a team of twelve professional drivers and a Transport Assistant. From there, you will determine what the transport operation should look like over the next five years and lead the transformation.
You will have the freedom to challenge the status quo, implement new ideas and create a transport operation that becomes a competitive advantage for the business.
Transport plays a critical role in delivering our customer promise. We do not see it as simply moving products from A to B. We see it as one of the most important customer-facing functions within the business.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, you will have full responsibility for the transport operation operating under our Operator's Licence.
This role extends well beyond managing the day-to-day operation.
You will be responsible for shaping the future of transport within the business, ensuring it supports our long-term commercial strategy, future product launches, and continued business growth.
As a member of the Management Team, you will contribute to wider operational strategy, business planning, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation.
You will work closely with Sales, Warehouse, Procurement and Senior Management to ensure transport supports every aspect of the customer journey. This is not a traditional Transport Manager role.
You will become a key member of the Management Team with genuine influence over the future direction of the business.
You will have the autonomy to challenge existing thinking, introduce new ideas and shape a transport operation that supports our long-term growth strategy.
If you are looking for a role where you can make a lasting impact, influence business strategy and build something you can genuinely be proud of, we'd like to hear from you.
You will have full responsibility for:
- Managing the Operator's Licence and ensuring full legal compliance.
- Leading, developing, and managing a team of 12 HGV Drivers and one Transport Assistant.
- Creating a customer-first culture throughout the transport operation.
- Managing fleet utilisation and vehicle productivity.
- Reviewing and redesigning delivery routes.
- Optimising delivery frequencies across all customers.
- Determining future fleet size, vehicle specifications, and replacement strategy.
- Managing vehicle maintenance, inspections, MOTs, and defect reporting.
- Ensuring full compliance with Drivers' Hours Regulations, Working Time Directive and Tachograph legislation.
- Managing transport budgets and operating costs.
- Monitoring transport KPIs and driving continuous improvement.
- Working alongside key customers to improve service performance.
- Supporting new customer implementations and future product launches.
- Developing transport strategies that support future business growth.
- Working collaboratively with warehouse operations to maximise operational efficiency.
What We Expect You to Deliver - Within the first 12 to 24 months you will:
- Rebuild our Transport Management System from the ground up.
- Challenge every existing transport process.
- Determine the optimum fleet size for the business.
- Review vehicle specifications and future fleet investment.
- Optimise delivery routes using data.
- Reduce unnecessary mileage and minimise dead running.
- Improve vehicle utilisation.
- Increase payload efficiency.
- Improve delivery performance and customer satisfaction.
- Develop service improvements for key national accounts.
- Build a culture where every driver understands they are ambassadors for the business.
- Develop measurable KPIs that drive operational performance.
- Create a transport function capable of supporting significant future business growth.
About You
- You're already an experienced Transport Manager operating within a multi-drop HGV environment.
- You combine operational excellence with commercial thinking and genuinely enjoy improving businesses.
- You challenge inefficiency, enjoy solving complex operational problems and make decisions using data rather than assumptions.
- Most importantly, you understand that transport exists to serve customers.
Essential Experience
- National CPC qualification.
- Previous experience as a Transport Manager operating under an Operator's Licence.
- Strong knowledge of DVSA compliance requirements.
- Experience managing HGV fleets.
- Experience leading transport teams.
- Excellent understanding of Drivers' Hours, Working Time Regulations and Tachograph legislation.
- Experience using Transport Management Systems.
- Strong route planning and transport optimisation experience.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
It Would Be an Advantage If You Have Experience Of
- Transforming or redesigning transport operations.
- Implementing or significantly improving Transport Management Systems.
- Fleet utilisation analysis.
- Route optimisation projects.
- Continuous improvement methodologies.
- Lean operational improvement.
- Customer service improvement initiatives.
- Supporting business growth through transport strategy.
The Person
We are looking for someone who:
- Leads with integrity and professionalism.
- Thinks commercially as well as operationally.
- Places the customer at the centre of every decision.
- Finds solutions rather than excuses.
- Challenges existing processes constructively.
- Takes ownership and accountability.
- Leads by example.
- Develops and inspires people.
- Builds strong relationships across the business.
- Makes decisions using evidence and data.
- Has the ambition to create, build and continually improve a transport operation that becomes recognised as best in class.
For further information on the role, or a general chat about other opportunities, please call Liam Edwards on 01453 832468. Alternatively, please email your CV to [email protected]
ESS EMPLOYMENT LTD work with clients and candidates from a range of disciplines and place people in permanent, contract and temporary roles. Many of our candidates and clients come to us by recommendation and we are proud of our personal, professional, and friendly approach to recruitment.
INDHS
Pay: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
