Transport Manager with Operational responsibilities. 

Our client is one of the UK’s leading and most well-respected soft fruit Growers. The main UK growing area is in Kent with an extensive Packhouse (BRC AA+) and distribution centre. Key drivers for the Company are Innovation, Strategy, Expertise and People development.

We are looking for an individual with a particular skill set; this will involve Transport Management for the company and operational skills to manage and focus different sectors to achieve the company objectives. Currently, there are several different areas which have organically grown without the true benefit of a single cohesive vision. The opportunity is there for a strong leader using management skills to bring together the divisional expertise that exists for the benefit of the company.

Are you an experienced Transport Manager looking for an autonomous position that you can really make a difference in?

The Transport Manager is responsible for all the company vehicles , which range from HGV’s, LGV’s, Staff Buses ( around the Farm), Staff cars, Farm Vehicles (& Machinery) and drivers ,ensuring and maintaining compliance in all aspects of the UK and European law. The company operates a fleet of tractor units, chilled trailers and chilled vehicles delivering to retail and non-retail depots nationally.

Operationally you will have at least five (mid management) Direct Reports which will cover the various responsibilities, ensuring the smooth and efficient transport of people and goods internally and externally.

People

· Managing the drivers’ day to day and keeping an eye on drivers on their routes

· Scheduling drivers and routes; allocating jobs to drivers

Manage your Direct reports and be a lead in their operational effectiveness.

· Recruitment and selection of drivers

· Liaising with agencies to negotiate driver rates and arrange driver cover.

· Inducting and training of full time and agency drivers

· Evaluate, forecast, plan, organise and agree staff rotas and levels so that adequate operational cover (manpower) is maintained at all times (include statutory holidays)

· Authorise all holidays for staff in your department

· Organise statutory training as required

· Carry out annual and interim appraisals on staff within the department and recommend appropriate reward and promotions when necessary. Manage industrial relations

· Consistently motivating employees, as this has a direct impact on atmosphere and general feel good factor; to an affect that you get the best from the team

· Mentor, coach and set performance objectives for staff within the department

· People management, such as performance reviews, staff development, disciplinary, and grievance handling

· Ensuring there is effective and clear communication to all employees within the site

· Conduct disciplinary and grievance interviews and follow through with appropriate action as per company procedures

Management

· Statutory compliance of the company’s O Licence

· Management of all driver and HR requirements including, RTW, Sickness & Holidays

· Carry out accident investigations.

Lead and Manage the departments under your control.

· Updating spreadsheets and communicating with management on performance

· Deal with driver infringements taking appropriate action as necessary

· Understanding driver’s hours and legal driving time, working time and breaks.

· Informing drivers of vehicle allocations and any changes in their job allocation or route

· Carry out route costing and modelling

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· Ensuring that the depot is performing against all agreed targets, KPI’s and budgets and managing all costs

· Creating and completing management reports on a weekly and monthly basis, dealing with all aspects of P&L and efficiencies

· Liaising with the Sales team in order to develop new sales opportunities and grow the business

· Liaise with other managers to ensure that progress of distribution is smooth and controlled. Where necessary to agree steps to overcome problems and identify solutions

Customers

· Ensure customer commitments are met, working with internal teams, and executing operational tasks as needed.

· Manage customer expectations and provide an excellent customer service experience

· Keeping in communication with the customer and drivers with delays, breakdowns, tacho hours and any issues

Health & Safety

· Manage health and safety of staff insuring that safe methods of working are used

· Manage Health and safety aspects of the department. Take appropriate steps to minimise the frequency and risk of accidents in the work place

· Ultimately be responsible for the health and safety of your department, staff and vehicles.

· Ensuring that all aspects of work and process are carried out in-line within Health and Safety guidelines

· As required carry out risk assessments and implement the findings

Vehicles

· You will be the CPC holder and nominated ‘O license’ manager for the site and we will declare this to the DVSA and you will take on the duties commensurate with this role as outlined by the DVSA and the Road Traffic Act

· Ensure road safety compliance as per the relevant regulations

· Audit housekeeping of all vehicles

· Ensure all tachographs downloads are done within the statutory timescales as a minimum

· Ensure parking integrity on site

Working conditions

· Hands on, working under pressure, dynamic, occasional unsociable/flexible hours.

· To undertake any other reasonable duties as required

What you’ll do on a typical day:

· Oversee our fast-paced transport operation, supporting departments, ensuring performance, compliance and the consistent achievement of company objectives.

· You will have 5 department Managers reporting to you (Direct Reports)

· Effectively manage all operational functions, delivering on all KPIs for the division

· Financial management of P&L

· Maintain levels of driver resource (temporary and permanent) in line within budget constraints

· To ensure all administrative traffic duties are carried out as necessary and to a high level of accuracy and professionalism

· Accountability for operator licence compliance at all operational sites, deliver best in class performance and investigate all non-conformance

· To liaise with external suppliers to ensure the effective planning of vehicle maintenance in line with service schedules

· To ensure that details of vehicle accidents are escalated to line management.

· To ensure that defected vehicles are recorded on traffic sheets.

· To ensure that the procedure for late and failed deliveries is followed where necessary.

· To achieve weekly and monthly KPI and P&L targets

· Select appropriate vehicle type and make recommendation on capital expenditure

· Negotiate vehicle lease contracts and service levels

· Oversee accurate route costing

· Working with other internal teams to deliver ‘best practice’

· Attend lead customer and supplier meetings.

What you need to succeed:

· A proven track record as a Transport Manager with good Operational experience in managing diverse but related departments aswell as the core Transport responsibilities (eg Staff Transport, Farm Vehicles).

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships with your Team

· International or National CPC holder and an excellent working knowledge of transport compliance

· The ability to lead, motivate and inspire your team with a real drive for optimisation and continuous improvement

· Understanding of key operational cost ; drivers associated Departments and P&L or cost centre management

· Experience of supervising or managing a complex transport environment for 5 years +

· Confident with use of pc’s and Excel & Word.

Be part of the future success

We’re looking for a full-time, permanent Transport Manager to be based in Kent to lead ‘everything transport’ . You will be directly responsible for ensuring that the overall transport and related functions operate safely, to our organisation and customer’s expectations and within budget day in, day out.

Pay, benefits and more:

We’re looking to offer a salary of up to £50,000 per annum plus car & bonus. In addition, we offer 25 days holiday (plus eight bank holidays).