Container Transport Manager

Peopleforge; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car / car allowance

23 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance

Pension

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Peopleforge is seeking a Container Transport Manager in Felixstowe to lead the day-to-day container transport operations. You will work with the Head of Operations to optimise traffic planning, fleet utilisation and driver performance across Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton.

The role requires hands-on planning experience in container haulage, port operations, and knowledge of TOPS; working time and hours regulations are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong experience within the container transport industry.
• Hands-on experience planning container trucks.
• Experience leading a transport, traffic planning or operational team.
• Knowledge of Working Time Directive and EU Drivers' Hours regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day container transport operations alongside the Head of Operations.
• Manage traffic planning across Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton.
• Optimise fleet utilisation, driver performance and operational efficiency.
• Manage daily transport issues, VBS bookings and customer requirements.
• Monitor KPIs, revenue targets, service levels and operational performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with drivers, customers and internal teams.
• Ensure effective resource planning and compliance with driver hours regulations.
• Participate in a 1-in-4 out-of-hours on-call rota.

Skills

Traffic planning

Team leadership

Problem solving

Port operations knowledge

Tools

TOPS

VBS systems

Job description

Full job description

Container Transport Manager

Felixstowe

£60,000-£70,000 + Company Car / Car Allowance + 23 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays + Life Assurance + Pension + Health & Wellbeing Benefits

Are you a Container Transport Manager, Traffic Manager or Senior Transport Planner with extensive experience planning container trucks, looking to take on a senior operational position within an established transport business?

On offer is the opportunity to join an established logistics business in a senior role working alongside the Head of Operations. You'll have significant responsibility for the day-to-day container transport operation, with the opportunity to influence traffic planning, fleet utilisation, driver performance, customer service and overall operational efficiency.

In this role, you'll oversee the planning and movement of container traffic across Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton. You'll ensure vehicles and drivers are utilised effectively, manage daily traffic plans and operational issues, oversee VBS bookings and work closely with customers and drivers to maintain excellent service levels.

This role would suit an experienced container transport professional with a strong background in hands‑on traffic planning who is ready to take greater responsibility for a busy transport operation. You'll need extensive knowledge of container haulage, port operations and traffic planning, with TOPS experience highly advantageous. The business is also open to experienced planners ready to progress, provided they have strong container industry knowledge.

The Role

• Oversee day-to-day container transport operations alongside the Head of Operations.
• Manage traffic planning across Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton.
• Optimise fleet utilisation, driver performance and operational efficiency.
• Manage daily transport issues, VBS bookings and customer requirements.
• Monitor KPIs, revenue targets, service levels and operational performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with drivers, customers and internal teams.
• Ensure effective resource planning and compliance with driver hours regulations.
• Participate in a 1-in-4 out-of-hours on-call rota.

The Person

• Strong experience within the container transport industry is essential.
• Proven hands-on experience planning container trucks.
• Experience leading a transport, traffic planning or operational team.
• Working knowledge of TOPS highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of ports and VBS systems.
• Knowledge of Working Time Directive and EU Drivers' Hours regulations.
• Excellent UK geographical knowledge and strong problem-solving skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Ref: 1707186

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates. The salary advertised is a guideline for this position. The offered remuneration will be dependent on the extent of your experience, qualifications, and skill set.