Company Overview
Forest Freight is a family owned, independent company with over 50 years of experience in delivering trusted haulage and logistics solutions across the United Kingdom. We pride ourselves on our dedicated team, innovative services, and commitment to excellence in transport and warehousing.
Job Purpose
The Transport Manager is responsible for the effective and continuous management of the company's transport operations, ensuring full compliance with all Operator's Licence requirements, DVSA regulations, road transport legislation, and company policies. The role is accountable for maintaining vehicle and driver compliance standards, ensuring the safe, legal, and efficient operation of the fleet.
The successful candidate will be the named as one of the Transport Manager's on the company's Operator's Licence and will fulfil all statutory responsibilities associated with this appointment. The role carries overall responsibility for the compliance management of a fleet of approximately 40 vehicles and 40 drivers.
Key Responsibilities
Operator's Licence Compliance
- Act as the company's nominated and named Transport Manager on the Operator's Licence.
- Ensure the transport operation remains fully compliant with all Operator's Licence undertakings and statutory obligations.
- Maintain effective and continuous management of the transport operation as required by the Traffic Commissioner.
- Maintain and oversee systems, processes, and records required to demonstrate compliance during audits, inspections, and investigations.
- Act as the primary point of contact for transport compliance matters with regulatory authorities, including the DVSA and Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
- Monitor changes in transport legislation and implement necessary operational changes.
Vehicle and Trailer Maintenance
- Manage and monitor planned preventative maintenance schedules for approximately 40 vehicles and associated trailers.
- Ensure all vehicles and trailers undergo servicing, safety inspections, MOT testing, and repairs within prescribed intervals.
- Oversee maintenance providers to ensure work is completed to the required standards and documented appropriately.
- Maintain accurate maintenance histories and compliance records for all fleet assets.
- Ensure regular brake performance testing is completed in accordance with DVSA requirements and company maintenance schedules.
Vehicle Defect Management
- Implement and manage robust vehicle defect reporting procedures.
- Review and action all reported defects promptly, ensuring vehicles are not operated when safety-critical defects exist.
- Monitor repair completion and maintain records of all reported defects and corrective actions.
- Ensure effective communication between drivers, workshop providers, and management regarding vehicle condition and repairs.
Daily Walkaround Checks
- Ensure drivers complete daily walkaround inspections in accordance with legal requirements and company procedures.
- Monitor completion rates and quality of inspections.
- Investigate and address non-compliance or recurring issues identified through defect reporting.
- Maintain records demonstrating compliance with daily vehicle inspection requirements.
Driver Compliance Management
- Manage compliance and performance for approximately 40 drivers.
- Manage driver licence verification processes, ensuring all drivers hold valid and appropriate licences and entitlements.
- Conduct regular driver licence checks and maintain supporting records.
- Monitor Driver CPC qualification status and ensure all drivers maintain valid Driver Qualification Cards (DQC).
- Schedule and coordinate Driver CPC training requirements.
- Ensure compliance with Drivers' Hours Regulations, Working Time Directive requirements, and tachograph legislation.
Infringement Management
- Monitor driver hours, tachograph records, and compliance reports.
- Investigate all infringements and non-compliance issues.
- Conduct driver debriefs and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Identify trends and provide coaching, training, or disciplinary recommendations as appropriate.
- Produce regular compliance reports for senior management.
Compliance Monitoring and Auditing
- Conduct regular internal transport compliance audits.
- Review key performance indicators relating to fleet compliance and driver performance.
- Ensure all transport records are maintained accurately and retained in accordance with legal requirements.
- Prepare for and support DVSA audits, Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) reviews, and external compliance assessments.
Health, Safety and Operational Standards
- Promote a strong safety culture throughout the transport operation.
- Ensure transport activities are conducted in accordance with company health and safety procedures.
- Support accident investigations and implement corrective actions where required.
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure compliance requirements are integrated into daily activities.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Holder of a valid Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
- Eligible and willing to be named as the Transport Manager on the company's Operator's Licence.
- Proven experience managing transport compliance within a goods vehicle operation.
- Thorough understanding of Operator's Licence obligations, Traffic Commissioner expectations, and DVSA requirements.
- Strong knowledge of Drivers' Hours Regulations, Working Time Directive requirements, and tachograph legislation.
- Experience managing vehicle maintenance systems, brake testing programmes, and defect reporting processes.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and record-keeping skills.
- Proficient in transport management and compliance software systems.
Desirable
- Experience managing fleets of 30+ vehicles.
- Internal auditing experience.
- Knowledge of fleet telematics and compliance monitoring systems.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- 100% compliance with Operator's Licence undertakings.
- MOT first-time pass rates.
- Completion of scheduled maintenance inspections on time.
- Driver CPC compliance levels.
- Driver licence check completion rates.
- Daily walkaround check completion rates.
- Reduction in driver infringements.
- Defect rectification times.
- Brake testing compliance.
- Successful completion of internal and external compliance audits.
- Maintenance of satisfactory OCRS ratings and regulatory compliance standards.
If you would like to apply for the position, having a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence is essential. Please send your CV to [email protected].
Pay: From £45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
