Senior Port Operator

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Port Operator is responsible for overseeing day-to-day running of a sheet of vehicles, ensuring efficient planning, cost control, and service delivery. Acting as a key operational link between drivers, planning, fleet, and port operations leads, the role supports the Port Operations Lead and Transport Operations Manager in delivering profitable, compliant, and high-performing container haulage services. This role plays a critical part in Day 1 to Day 2 planning, cost control, vehicle and driver utilisation, and the development of an effective and engaged operations team. Additionally, the Senior Port Operator will support the Port Operations Lead and the Transport Operations Manager in training and developing new team members, acting as trusted mentor and adviser as and when required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Support & Day-to-day Escalations

• Support junior members of the team, acting as first escalation point for non-standard and/or complex queries (escalating to the Port Operations Lead / Transport Operations Manager as and when necessary).

• In collaboration with the Port Operations Lead and Transport Operations Manager, act as trusted mentor and adviser for junior members of team, nurturing talent and building capability and resilience.

• Openly encourage and support strong communication, accountability, and teamwork aligned with the wider Operations leadership approach.

Operational Planning & Control

• Assess the previous day’s dispatch performance following handovers from both the night and early morning team shifts.

• Ensure all vehicles within control are routed and planned by end of day, with clear handover notes where required.

• Assist with Day 1 & 2 expediting/planning activities as part of role development and operational coverage when time allows.

• Highlight any issues to Port Operations Lead regarding undesirable sites, late running jobs and potential job recoveries.

• Manage and oversee vehicle allocation, ensuring optimal utilisation across operations.

• Highlight and manage expedition of work where required to protect service and revenue.

• Ensure daily/weekly revenue targets are met.

Cost Control & Performance Management

• Monitor revenues/costs and routing, ensuring operations are carried out as efficiently as possible.

• Support Port Operations Lead with VBS bookings, ensure they are made correctly, costs are controlled, and performance improves month on month.

• Investigate driver (own sheet) missed VBS slots, escalating with HR or subcontractor boss, highlighting any trends where necessary.

• Ensure all weekly closedown activity is completed accurately and on time, escalating persistent issues to the Transport Operations Manager.

• Ensure drivers costs are managed, closely monitoring nights out and overtime

Driver & Resource Management

• Carry out daily monitoring of drivers’ hours, ensuring workloads are balanced, compliant, and sustainable.

• Liaise closely with drivers to manage workload, resolve issues, and support reliable service delivery.

• Build and maintain close working relationships with drivers, Port Operations Leads and planning for operational stability and positive morale.

• Provide the port operations lead with a weekend overtime list by close of play each Wednesday

Fleet & Equipment Coordination

• Liaise with the Fleet Team to ensure service schedules, maintenance, and availability are met.

• Work closely with the National Planning Specialists and Fleet Supervisor to ensure specialist equipment is positioned correctly and available where required.

• Support investigations into vehicle or equipment-related delays or inefficiencies.

Collaboration & Escalation

• Work closely with the Port Operations Lead to support daily operational delivery and continuous improvement.

• Escalate operational risks, cost concerns, or performance issues appropriately.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience in UK port transport operations, container haulage, or traffic planning.

• A comprehensive understanding of container movements, VBS booking systems, and port operations.

• Experience monitoring drivers’ hours, workload allocation, and operational compliance.

• Proven ability to manage day-to-day operational expediting, planning and handovers.

• Awareness of costs with experience in reviewing routing inefficiencies.

• Experience working closely with fleet and maintenance teams.

• Confident communicator with the ability to liaise with drivers, planners, and senior managers.

• Organised, maintaining structured systems with strong attention to detail

Desirable

• Experience working across day and night transport operations.

• Experience supporting closedown processes and operational reporting.

• Exposure to specialist equipment planning within container haulage.

• Experience developing or supervising operational teams.

• Familiarity with performance reporting and trend analysis.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Calm and solutions-focused under pressure.

• Proactive with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Commercially aware with a focus on efficiency and cost control.

• Supportive leader who develops people and promotes teamwork.

• Highly organised and able to manage competing operational priorities.

• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced port environment.