Container Transport Manager

Bradley David Associates; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days' holiday

Birthday off after probation

Company pension

24-hour Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Bradley David Associates is seeking an experienced Container Transport Manager to lead a busy transport planning operation. You will oversee planning across Felixstowe, London Gateway, and Southampton, and manage a team of operators/planners to optimise fleet usage and performance.

The role requires extensive container haulage experience, strong leadership, and a focus on compliance, with potential travel to other depots as needed. A senior, hands-on transport leadership position in the region.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in container transport
• Hands-on truck and traffic planning
• Minimum 5 years' experience leading an operational transport team
• Working knowledge of TOPS and container transport systems
• Strong understanding of UK ports and container operations
• Excellent knowledge of driver hours and transport compliance
• Proven ability to manage a fast-paced traffic operation under pressure
• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Commercial awareness and understanding of operational performance
• Confident customer-facing and relationship-building skills
• Excellent problem-solving, organisational and communication skills
• Strong IT skills and attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a busy team of Transport Operators / Planners
• Oversee container transport planning from Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton
• Ensure efficient fleet utilisation and allocation of drivers and vehicles
• Monitor operational revenue targets, service levels and overall performance
• Manage day-to-day operational issues and ensure problems are resolved quickly
• Maintain relationships and communication with drivers, customers and internal teams
• Oversee VBS bookings, helping to minimise wasted slots and unnecessary costs
• Monitor operational KPIs and daily performance statistics
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and service levels
• Ensure compliance with Working Time Directive, EU Drivers' Hours and relevant transport regulations
• Support a positive, high-performing culture across the transport operation
• Provide a professional point of contact for key operational and customer queries
• Occasionally travel to other depot locations when required

Job description

We are recruiting on behalf of an established and growing logistics business looking for an experienced Container Transport Manager to lead a busy transport planning operation.

This is a senior operational role suited to someone with extensive experience in container haulage, traffic planning and team management, with strong knowledge of UK ports and container transport operations.

Felixstowe / Suffolk

The Role:

• Lead and manage a busy team of Transport Operators / Planners
• Oversee container transport planning from Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton
• Ensure efficient fleet utilisation and effective allocation of drivers and vehicles
• Monitor operational revenue targets, service levels and overall performance
• Manage day-to-day operational issues and ensure problems are resolved quickly
• Maintain strong relationships and communication with drivers, customers and internal teams
• Oversee VBS bookings, helping to minimise wasted slots and unnecessary costs
• Monitor operational KPIs and daily performance statistics
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and service levels
• Ensure compliance with Working Time Directive, EU Drivers' Hours and relevant transport regulations
• Support a positive, high-performing culture across the transport operation
• Provide a professional point of contact for key operational and customer queries
• Occasionally travel to other depot locations when required

What We're Looking For:

• Significant experience within container transport / container haulage
• Strong hands-on experience of truck and traffic planning
• Minimum 5 years' experience leading an operational transport team
• Working knowledge of TOPS and container transport systems
• Strong understanding of port systems and VBS bookings
• Excellent knowledge of UK geography and major container ports
• Good understanding of driver hours and transport compliance
• Proven ability to manage a fast-paced traffic operation under pressure
• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of operational performance
• Confident customer-facing and relationship-building skills
• Excellent problem-solving, organisational and communication skills
• Strong IT skills and attention to detail

What's On Offer:

• 23 days' holiday, increasing to 25 days with service
• Birthday off following successful probation
• Company pension
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Container Transport Operations Manager, Transport Manager, Traffic Manager or Senior Transport Planner looking to take ownership of a busy container transport operation.