Transport Manager

Role: Transport Manager 
Location: Rushden, NN10 
Salary: £45,000 per annum + Company Vehicle 
 
Freight Force Recruitment Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this permanent vacancy.  

Overview 

Freight Force Recruitment are proud to be working in partnership with a well-established logistics and supply chain provider with more than 40 years of experience delivering integrated transport, haulage, freight forwarding, distribution and logistics solutions across the UK and internationally.  

Operating from multiple strategic locations throughout the UK and Norway, our client manages thousands of deliveries daily and provides specialist logistics services across a range of sectors including retail, construction, healthcare, food & beverage, chemical and hazardous goods.  

Due to continued growth within its transport division, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Transport Manager to lead transport operations at the Rushden site. 

The Role 

As Transport Manager, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day management of a busy transport operation, ensuring the efficient planning, compliance, utilisation and performance of both fleet and drivers. You will lead a fully trained transport team, driving operational excellence while maintaining the highest standards of safety, customer service and legal compliance. 

This position would suit a proactive transport professional with strong leadership skills, a commercial mindset and a thorough understanding of UK transport legislation and fleet operations. 

Key Responsibilities 

Operational Management 

- Oversee all daily transport activities, ensuring efficient vehicle utilisation and service delivery.  
-Manage transport planning functions to maximise fleet productivity and operational efficiency.  
-Monitor vehicle movements and transport performance against agreed KPIs.  
- Ensure all deliveries and collections are completed safely, legally and within customer expectations.  
- Work closely with customers, drivers and internal departments to maintain service excellence.  
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across the transport operation.  

Compliance & Fleet Management 

-Hold overall responsibility for Operator Licence compliance.  
- Ensure full adherence to DVSA, Traffic Commissioner and FORS requirements where applicable.  
- Maintain compliance with Working Time Directive, Drivers' Hours Regulations and tachograph legislation.  
- Manage driver infringements, investigations and corrective actions.  
- Ensure vehicle maintenance schedules, inspections and defect reporting procedures are effectively managed.  
- Maintain accurate transport records, compliance documentation and audit trails.  

Team Leadership 

- Lead, motivate and develop transport planners, drivers and operational staff.  
- Conduct regular performance reviews, training assessments and development planning.  
- Support recruitment, onboarding and retention of transport personnel.  
- Promote a positive safety culture and high-performance working environment.  
- Manage absence, disciplinary matters and employee relations issues where required.  

Commercial & Financial Control 

- Monitor transport costs and identify opportunities to improve profitability.  
- Manage fuel efficiency, vehicle utilisation and operational expenditure.  
- Produce regular operational and financial reports for senior management.  
- Support business growth through effective resource planning and customer service delivery.  

Health, Safety & Quality 

- Ensure all transport activities are conducted in accordance with company health and safety policies.  
- Lead accident investigations and implement preventative measures.  
- Maintain high standards of operational quality and customer satisfaction.  
- Support company compliance with ISO standards and industry best practice.  

Candidate Requirements 

Essential 

- Valid Transport Manager CPC (National or International).  
- Previous experience as a Transport Manager 
- Strong understanding of Operator Licence compliance and transport legislation. 
- Proven experience managing drivers and transport teams.  
- Knowledge of Drivers' Hours, Working Time Directive and tachograph regulations.  
- Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.  
- Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability.  
- Competent user of transport management systems and Microsoft Office.  
- Full UK HGV Class 1 Driving Licence.  

Desirable 

- Experience within general haulage, pallet network or distribution environments.  
- Experience managing multi-site or high-volume transport operations.  
- Knowledge of hazardous goods or specialist freight operations.  
- CPC qualification in Road Haulage Operations.  

What's on Offer 

- Company vehicle  
- Stable and established logistics operation  
- Fully trained and experienced transport division  
- Opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing business  
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities  
- Supportive and collaborative working environment  

Why Join this company? 

With over four decades of logistics expertise, a nationwide transport network and a reputation for handling complex freight operations, our client offers long-term career stability and the opportunity to lead an established transport function within a respected logistics organisation. The Rushden operation plays a key role in supporting transport, distribution and haulage services across the Midlands and wider UK network.