Transport Controller

Role Profile & Job Description

Position Details

• Job Title: Late Shift Transport Controller

• Department: Transport Operations

• Reports To: Transport Manager / Planning Manager

• Location:  Bardon Depot (LE67)

• Salary: £32,000 – £36,000 per annum

• Shift Pattern: Full-Time, Monday to Friday, Late Shift (typically 11:30–20:30), with weekend cover as required by the transport planning rota

Job Purpose

Take full ownership of live transport operations during the late shift, controlling vehicle movements, driver allocations, and real-time route changes to ensure on-time delivery and collection performance.

As the primary out-of-hours point of contact for drivers, depot staff, and customers, you will manage operational exceptions, monitor fleet tracking via Qargo and Samsara, enforce full regulatory compliance (Operator Licence & DVSA), and deliver accurate shift handovers to maintain operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

Live Operations & Route Control

• Monitor fleet movements, driver progress, and ETAs in real time using Qargo and Samsara.

• Proactively re-route vehicles, adjust driver assignments, and respond to traffic delays, road closures, or breakdowns.

• Plan late-notice loads, multi-drop routes, and backloads to maximize vehicle utilization and eliminate empty running.

• Instruct drivers on site loading and tipping procedures for rigids and trailers at the Premier depot.

• Liaise with warehouse and site teams regarding bay allocation, load status, and late loading.

Sub-Contracting & Coverage

• Source extra cover via load-matching platforms (Haulage Exchange & Haulage Hub) to protect delivery schedules.

• Organize relief or agency drivers to cover late-shift resource shortfalls.

Driver Management & Compliance

• Conduct structured driver briefings and debriefs using the Driver Briefing & Debrief Record Form.

• Issue correct delivery documentation and instructions prior to vehicle departure.

• Monitor Drivers' Hours and Working Time Directive (WTD) compliance; flag threshold limits to the Planning Team.

• Support Driver CPC and driving licence verification processes.

• Maintain precise operational records required for Operator Licence audit standards and DVSA compliance checks.

Maintenance, Defects & Escalations

• Manage vehicle breakdowns by arranging swift repair or recovery.

• Handle reported defects and execute vehicle swaps for Off-Road (VOR) units.

• Coordinate with the fleet manager to present vehicles/trailers for scheduled PMIs and MOTs.

• Escalate severe operational, safety, or compliance issues to the Transport Manager or On-Call Manager immediately.

Reporting & Shift Continuity

• Provide detailed shift handovers to the incoming controller covering live issues, outstanding jobs, and vehicle status.

• Report daily pallet counts for next-day and economy incoming collections.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience: Proven track record in a busy transport office (Planner or Controller background), ideally with late-shift or out-of-hours experience.

• Systems: Working knowledge of transport management and tracking software (e.g., Qargo, Samsara) and defect reporting tools (e.g., Driver I).

• Freight Networks: Familiarity with sub-contracting tools like Haulage Exchange and Haulage Hub.

• Compliance: Clear understanding of Drivers' Hours, WTD, tachographs, DVSA standards, and Operator Licence obligations.

• Key Skills: Strong autonomous decision-making under pressure, excellent verbal/written communication, numerical accuracy, and dynamic problem-solving