TRANSPORT MANAGER
ABC Travel (Wokingham) Ltd
Full-Time | Wokingham / Reading Area
ABC Travel is looking for an experienced, highly organised and responsible Transport Manager to oversee our busy home-to-school and specialist transport operation.
ABC Travel is an established transport provider specialising in home-to-school and SEND transport, working with multiple local authorities, private schools and families. We operate a diverse fleet ranging from 4-seater vehicles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles through to larger minibuses.
This is a senior, hands-on position requiring someone who can take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the operation, manage staff, maintain excellent relationships with our clients and respond confidently when unexpected situations arise.
Main Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of all school transport services.
- Manage and support the Transport Coordinator and administration team.
- Supervise drivers and Passenger Assistants.
- Ensure appropriate drivers, Passenger Assistants and vehicles are allocated to routes.
- Oversee route planning, changes and mobilisation of new contracts.
- Ensure adequate cover is available for sickness, holidays, breakdowns and emergencies.
- Liaise directly with local authorities, schools, parents and other professionals.
- Maintain strong relationships with existing clients.
- Respond to operational issues, complaints and incidents promptly and professionally.
- Oversee safeguarding matters and ensure concerns are appropriately recorded and escalated.
- Support the management of challenging situations involving pupils and transport crews.
- Monitor service performance, punctuality and reliability.
- Ensure staff follow company policies, procedures and codes of conduct.
- Work closely with the compliance team to ensure staff and vehicles remain compliant.
- Assist with recruitment, interviews, induction and management of operational staff.
- Support staff training and development.
- Participate in meetings with councils, schools and other stakeholders.
- Assist with tenders, contract mobilisation and service reviews where required.
- Work closely with senior management to continually improve the service.
Work Phone & Operational Availability
Due to the nature of home-to-school transport, this position requires a high level of responsibility and flexibility.
The Transport Manager will be provided with a company work phone, which must be kept with them as required for the role, including outside normal office hours where necessary.
The Transport Manager will be the point of contact for urgent operational matters and must be able to respond appropriately to issues such as staff sickness, vehicle breakdowns, safeguarding concerns, emergencies or significant changes affecting transport services.
This does not mean dealing with routine office matters outside working hours; however, the successful candidate must understand that transport operations can occasionally require urgent management support outside standard office hours.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Highly organised and able to manage a busy transport operation.
- Confident managing and supporting a large team.
- A strong decision-maker and problem-solver.
- Calm and professional under pressure.
- Comfortable taking responsibility and making operational decisions.
- An excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing.
- Confident dealing with local authorities, schools, parents and professionals.
- Experienced in handling complaints and difficult situations professionally.
- Able to prioritise multiple urgent tasks.
- Computer literate with strong administrative skills.
- Flexible and reliable.
- Committed to safeguarding and providing excellent services for children and young people.
Previous experience in transport management, home-to-school transport, SEND transport, passenger transport, logistics or fleet operations would be highly desirable.
Knowledge of safeguarding, SEND, Enhanced DBS requirements, local-authority contracts and transport compliance would be an advantage.
The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate pre-employment and safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS check.
About ABC Travel
ABC Travel has extensive experience providing home-to-school and specialist transport services.
We work with multiple local authorities and private schools and transport children and young people with a wide range of needs, including pupils with SEND, disabilities and wheelchair requirements.
We pride ourselves on providing a safe, reliable, professional and person-centred service, supported by an experienced team of drivers, Passenger Assistants, office staff and fleet personnel.
This is an important position within ABC Travel and would suit someone who enjoys responsibility, problem-solving and working in a fast-moving environment where every day can be different.
To apply, please send your CV together with a covering letter explaining your relevant experience and why you would be suitable for the Transport Manager position.
Pay: £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
